
f UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. ! 



T.S.'Wa.iner.IAih.mdbd^ 

LIEU"^ OEN?^ WINFIELD SCOTT. 

Engravzd espressljforfieStslorTofthe Civil War in the 
Vniled Stales. 



A HISTORY 



CIYIL WAR 

I 

IN THK 

UNITED STATES, 



FROM rrS COMMENCEMENT IN 1861, TO JANUARY, 1862, 



TO EE CONTINUED TO THE TERMINATION OF THE WAK, 



BY JOHN KENNEDY, Esq. 



PHILADELPHIA: 

KENNEDY & COMPANY, PUBLISHERS. 

S. E. CORNER OF FOURTH & WALNUT STREETS 



Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1881, 

BY KENNEDY & GREELY, 

the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, in and for the 
Eastern District of Pennsylvania 



J. H. JONES & CO., PRIST2B3, 

•234 Carter's Alley, Phila 



TO THE HON. J. M. P. 

At your earnest solicitation I undertake the task of com- 
piling a " History of the Civil War in the United States." 1 
deeply feel the responsibility that rests on me in this under- 
taking — of giving to the world a true and correct history of 
the great events which have, and may still transpire in our 
beloved country. In reviewing the disjointed incidents of the 
past, and chaining them together into a comprehensive history, 
I cannot but weep for the honored dead, while my heart swells 
with pride at the deeds of daring and valor performed by the 
noble spirits who still live, and who rushed to the rescue of 
their country. To the glorious dead it will be my lot to 
devote pages of the history as a just tribute to their memory; 
while their names and their deeds will live in the hearts of 
their greatful countrymen, as a monument of their patriotism 
and devotion to their country. To the living I will do ample 
justice, and mete out to the deserving all the honor and glory 
our limited space, as historian, will permit, feeling confident 
that a grateful people will bestow upon them such honor as 
brave men and true patriots deserve. 

You will accept my humble acknowledgements for the interest 
you have manifested in the work, and rest assured I will ever 
remain your devoted friend. 

JOHN KENNEDY. 

Philadelphia, JVov., 1861. 



PRKFACE. 



In preparing this work for the public, we have endeavored 
to procure the best and most reliable information possible to 
obtain. In many instances the accounts of battles are meagre 
and u^isatisfactory, failing to give the name of the command- 
ing officer, and the number of troops engaged. Of many of 
the small contests and skirmishes there are no official 
accounts, and no record of the events, except a telegraphic 
dispatch announcing that a skirmish had taken place. How* 
ever, by constant search, and keeping in view the position and 
locality of divisions of the army. We have in most cases traced 
out the time and place of events, and endeavored to give a 
plain and comprehensive detail of them. The task has been 
more laborious from the fact that the army was not, until the 
close of the year, so divided as to place it in a condition to 
move on regular campaigns, and we were therefore compelled 
to follow the incidents by dates, moving from one locality to 
another, as the date demanded. 

The accounts of battles and incidents published in the 
Southern States, have been so exaggerated and far from the 
true state of facts, that we have refrained from giving them. 
Recently a law was passed by the Confederate Congress, 
prohibiting the publication of news calculated to create a 



11 



PREFACE. 



panic, justly concluding they have trouble enough of their 
own. Every source of obtaining any correct information is 
obstructed, and when, the accounts of battles are published in 
their papers, if it has been a defeat, they torture it into a 
victory. It was therefore impossible to place any reliance in 
their statements. 

Our great object in preparing the work, was to lay before 
the public, in a concise and regular manner, the leading inci- 
dents of the war, that by perusing it could be seen that the 
success of the Federal arms had been much greater than at first 
thought might be imagined^ The victories have been numer- 
ous, and in nearly all cases fought at great odds in favor of the 
enemy. Taking, then, a view of the war from the time of its 
absolute commencement, in April, wonders unparalleled have 
been accomplished. If we have added by this narrative our 
might to strengthen the cause of the Union, we feel doubly 
repaid for our labor, and dedicate our work to the Union and 
ITS Deeenders. 

The Author. 

Philadelphia f January^ 1862 



CONTENTS. 



PAGE. 

Introduction, -------5 

Chapter I.— The Political Campaign of 1860, - ■= 15 

Chapter II. — Secession of South Carolina, - - » 31 

Chapter III. — The Committee of Thirty-three, - =42 
Chapter IV. — President Buchanan's Position, - - 56 

Chapter Y.— Major Anderson Evacuates Fort Moultrie, - 66 
Chapter VI. — Seizure of the Forts and Arsenal at Charleston, 73 
Chapter VII. — Seizure of the Forts in Georgia, - - 77 

Chapter VIII.— Reinforcements Sent to Fort Sumter, - 95 
Chapter IX.— Seizure of the Forts in l^orth Carolina, - 100 
Chapter X. — Secession of Georgia, Louisiana and Texas— Inau- 
gural Address of Jefferson Davis, - - - - 114 

Chapter XI. — Parson Brownlow and George D. Prentice— The 

Inauguration of Mr. Lincoln, . . - _ 120 

Chapter XII. — President Lincoln's Inaugural Address — The 

Bombardment of Fort Sumter, - - - - 125 

Chapter XIII. — Evacuation of Fort Sumter, - - 133 

Chapter XIV.— Destruction of JS'orfolk Navy Yard and Harper's 

Ferry Armory, - 143 
Chapter XV. — Occupation of Virginia, and Death of Colonel 

Ellsworth, - - - - - - - 153 

Chapter XVI. — The Capture of Romney and Phillippi, in West- 
ern Virginia — Position of the Federal Army, - - 162 
Chapter XVII. — Battle at Great Bethel — Death of Lieutenant 
Greble — Evacuation of Harper's Ferry by the Confederate 
Troops, 168 
Chapter XVIII. — Battle of Boonville — Death of Captain Ward — 

Battle of Falling Waters, ----- 173 

Chapter XIX. — Meeting of the Extra Session of Congress — 
Battle of Carthage — Battle of Rich Mountain — Battle of Cheat 
Mountain, and Death of General Garnet, - - - 180 



11 



CONTENTS. 



PAGE. 

Chapter XX.— The Battle of Bull's Run, - - - 189 

Chapter XXI. — The Battle of Wilson's Creek— Death of General 

Lyon, - - - - - - - 202 

Chapter XXII. — General Fremont in Missouri — Expedition to 

Hatteras Inlet, 212 

Chapter XXIII. — Retreat of General Floyd — Capture of Lex- 
ington, Missouri, by the Confederate Army, - - 220 

Chapter XXIY. — Attack on the Zouaves at Fort Pickens — 

Battle at Bolivar Heights, - 226 

Chapter XXY.— Battle of Ball's Bluff, - - - 231 

Chapter XXVI. — Battle at Fredericktown, Missouri — Charge of 

Zagoni's Cavalry — Capture of Romney, Yirginia, - 236 

Chapter XXYII. — Capture of Forts "Walker and Beauregard at 

Port Royal, ...... 242 

Chapter XXYIII. — Capture of Mason and Slidell — Shelling of 

the Confederate Troops on Santa Rosa Island, - - 248 

Chapter XXIX. — Parson Brownlow in the Field — General Pope 

in Missouri, - 264 

Chapter XXX. — Battle at Warrensburg, Missouri — Battle at 
Drainesville — Table Showing the Strength of the Army and 
Navy, 259 

Chapter XXXI. — Disbanding of Humphrey Marshall's Forces — 

Battle at Spring Mills, Kentucky, - - - - 265 

Chronological Table of Events, from December, 1860, to Janua- 
ry, 1862, - - 278 



INTRODUCTION. 



It has been asserted that when a nation reaches a certain 
degree of power and opulence, it then has within itself the 
means of its own destruction. What that certain degree may 
be, has never been settled, nor do we now advance the theory 
for the purpose of argument. It is a fact beyond dispute, 
however, that when a people, by a long-continued peace, and 
seasons of unbounded prosperity, become so involved in the 
transactions of commerce, trade and traffic, that they almost 
forget they have a government, then they entrust its care to 
corrupt political administrators. Such is the history of every 
government conducted on a republican basis, and if not di- 
rectly, has been indirectly the cause of the destruction of that 
form of government. This, to a certain extent, has been the 
misfortune of the people of the United States, and has almost 
swallowed by its dreadful results the Federal Grovernment. 
It is, nevertheless, true, that the people engaged in politics, 
and exercised the elective franchise to its fullest extent; but 
they placed too much confidence in dishonest politicians, and 
too often drew party lines to the exclusion of honesty and 
integrity. Engaged in the various civil pursuits of life, the 
people little dreamed of the immense mine that disappointed 
politicians and their minions were laying at the very base of 
the Republic, almost powerful enough to utterly destroy it. 
When, however, the thunder burst upon them from Fort 
Sumter, and the peril became glaringly visible, they wakened 
to the danger, and were astounded at its immensity. Imme- 
diately political lines vanished, and the Northern States be- 



6 



INTRODUCTION. 



came one great Union party. The Soutliern States were 
divided upon tlie question of Union and Secession, but the 
latter party, led by men of bad principles and dishonest at 
heart, became the strongest and most powerful, and by ostra- 
cism and acts of violence, overpowered and crushed the Union 
party. By falsehood and misrepresentation, they caused the 
honest people of the South to believe the political triumph of 
the Republican party, as it is called, was an aggressive move- 
ment — an invasion of their rights, and an attempt to interfere 
with and eventually destroy their local institutions. By this 
duplicity they involved the Southern States in a most formi- 
dable insurrection. 

During the days of John C. Calhoun, South Carolina became 
dissatisfied, and insurrection began to raise its v/icked head ; 
but, by the promptness and energy of Andrew Jackson, the 
President, it was smothered, only to be revived in 1861. 

During the latter part of the year 1849, and the beginning 
of 1850, and previous to the passage of the famous compromise 
measures of Henry Clay, there were ominous threatenings of 
rebellion, and it was upon one or two occasions ciirrently re- 
ported that the members of Congress from the South had de- 
serted their places, and were about to return to their respec- 
tive States. The difficulties at this time were caused by an 
angry discussion of the subject of slavery, that had for some 
years before and up to this period occupied the time and atten- 
tion of members of Congress from the two extremes of the 
Union. But now it assumed a more formidable aspect, and for 
a time threatened the most disastrous results. The contest, 
however, was confined to the halls of Congress, where a war 
of sharp and bitter words was vigorously waged. It was after- 
wards remarked by a Senator who had coolly listened to the 
angry debate, that the people did not know how closely they 
had approached a dissolution of the Union. 



INTRODUCTION. 



7 



The debate arose upon the construction of the Constitution 
involving the question whether Congress, under the Constitu- 
tion, had the power of legislating slavery into, or excluding it 
from territories about to be organized. In January, 1850, 
Henry Clay, then Senator from the State of Kentucky, intro- 
duced his compromise bill, with a view of conclusively settling 
this agitating question. It was drawn with great skill and 
care, and was abl}'' supported by him with all the power of his 
convincing arguments and persuasive eloquence. The bill 
contained, among others, the following important provisions : 
That it was improper for Congress to legislate upon the ques- 
tion of slavery in the territories acquired by the United States 
from Mexico, either for its introduction or exclusion ; that 
territorial government should be established for the territory 
recently obtained ; that slavery should not be abolished in the 
District of Columbia while it existed in Maryland, but the sale 
of slaves brought into it from other States, or their transpor- 
tation through it to other markets should be prohibited. For 
some months the bill occupied the attention of Congress, and 
when the time for its passage arrived, the propositions of Mr. 
Clay were so altered, modified and amended that the original 
was almost invisible. At the same time the Fugitive Slave 
Law was passed, which gave to the Slave States the right, 
under certain legal restrictions, of recovering the slaves who 
had fled to the Free States. In some of the States the Fugi- 
tive Slave Law was obnoxious to the people, and the legisla- 
tures of such States declared it unconstitutional, and null and 
void, and exonerated the citizens from complying with its pro 
visions. Residents in the Slave States, who had information 
that their slaves were in the Free States, armed with the legal 
documents under the law, resorted to those States to reclaim 
their property. The people, in many instances, refused to 
comply with their demands, which not unfrequently resulted 



8 



INTRODUCTION. 



in fatal consequences to one or tte other of tlie contending par- 
ties. The question was in this way brought directly from 
the halls of Congress to the people. 

For about four years after the adoption of the compromise 
measures, the country was comparatively quiet, except an 
occasional conflict occurring upon an attempt to recover a 
fugitive slave. The people seemed to have almost forgotten 
the crisis through which they had passed, and the government 
being in a flourishing condition and judiciously administered, 
they paid but little attention to politics. In 1852 the two 
great national parties, embodied the propositions of the Com- 
promise in their platforms, and with this as a part of their 
creed of faith, they put their candidates for the Presidency in 
the field. Lieutenant General Scott was the nominee of the 
Whig paity, while Franklin Pierce, who had acquired some 
fame in the Mexican war, led the Democratic forces. The 
contest was not a very warm one, and did not partake of that 
interest it deserved. The result was the utter overthrow and 
defeat of the Whig party, from which it never recovered. It 
was now supposed that the slavery question was for ever set- 
tled, and the country haa quieted down and appeared satis- 
fied that a subject so perplexing and exciting was dismissed. 
In January, 1854, Stephen A. Douglas, Chairman of the 
Committee on Territories, a Senator from the State of Illionis, 
introduced a bill for the organization of the Territory of 
Nebraska. The bill contained a clause repealing the Com- 
promise of 1850, and again opened to Congress the discussion 
of the slavery question. It provided that the people should 
be free to regulate their own domestic institutions,-subject only 
to the Constitution of the United States. 

About the same time the Territory of Kansas was organized, 
and in both instances the lawful citizens were left free to 
decide upon the question whether slavery should or should 



INTRODUCTION. 



9 



not exist in the territories. Citizens who had emigrated to 
he territories from slave States claimed that under the terri- 
torial government they had a right to be protected in the 
occupation of their slave property. This was denied by the 
opponents of slavery, and acts of violence followed. Then 
arose a contention whether Kansas should be a free or a slave 
State. Preparations were made to adopt a Constitution, and 
after the preliminaries had been properly arranged the ques- 
tion in regard to slavery came directly before the people of 
the territory. Then followed infringements and outrages 
upon the legal rights of voters, each party desiring to over- 
power the other — one for the introduction of slavery and the 
other opposed to it. It became a matter of such serious 
importance, that the House of Kepresentatives of Congress 
appointed a committee to investigate the matter. The com- 
mittee after a labored term, returned to Washington, laid 
their report before the House, and it was ordered to be 
printed. From that report, which is a State paper, we make 
extracts to show to what extremes of hostility and individual 
cruelty and the subversion of law and justice this question of 
slavery has led : 

" On the morning of election, the Judges appointed by the 
Grovernor appeared and opened the polls. Their names were 
Harrison Burson, Nathaniel Ramsay, and Mr. Ellison. The 
Missourians began to come in early in the morning, some 500 
or 600 of them, in wagons and carriages, and on horseback, 
under the lead of Samuel J. Jones, then Postmaster of West- 
port, Missouri, Claiborne F. Jackson, and Mr. Steely, of 
Independence, Mo. They were armed with double-barreled 
guns, rifles, bowie-knives and pistols, and had flags hoisted. 
They held a sort of informal election, off" at one side, at first 
for Grovernor of Kansas, and shortly afterwards announced 
Thomas Johnson, of Shawnee Missions, elected Governor. 

"The polls had been opened but a short time, when Mr, 
Jones marched with the crowd up to the window, and demanded 
that they should be allowed to vote without swearing as to 
1* 



10 



INTRODUCTION. 



their residence. After some noisy and threatening talk, Clai- 
borne F. Jackson addressed the crowd, saying they had come 
there to vote, that they had a right to vote if they had been 
there but five minutes, and he was not willing to go home^ 
without voting, which was received with cheers. Jackson 
then called upon them to form into little bands of fifteen or 
twenty, which they did, and went to an ox-wagon filled with 
guns, which were distributed among them, and proceeded to 
load some of them on the ground. In pursuance of Jackson's 
request, they tied white tape or ribbons in their button-holes, 
so as to distinguish them from the 'Abolitionists.' They again 
demanded that the Judges should resign, and upon their refus- 
ing to do so, smashed in the window, sash and all, and presented 
their pistols and guns to them, threatening to shoot them. 
Some one on the outside cried out to them not to shoot, as 
there were Pro-Slavery men in the room with the Judges. 
They then put a pry under the corner of the house, which was 
a log house, and lifted it up a few inches and let it fall again, 
but desisted upon being told there were Pro-Slavery men in 
the house. During this time the crowd repeatedly demanded 
to be allowed to vote without being sworn, and Mr. Ellison, 
one of the Judges, expressed himself willing, but the other 
two Judges refused ; thereupon a body of men, headed by 
* Sherifi' Jones,' rushed into the Judges' room with cocked 
pistols and drawn bowie-knives in their hands, and approached 
Burson and Ramsay. Jones pulled out his watch, and said 
he would give them five minutes to resign in, or die. When 
the five minutes had expired and the Judges did not resign, 
Jones said he would give them another minute, and no more. 
Ellison told his associates that if they did not resign, there 
would be one hundred shots fired into the room in less than 
fifteen minutes, and then, snatching up the ballot-box, ran out 
into the crowd, holding up the ballot-box and hurrahing for 
Missouri. About that time Burson and Ramsay were called 
out by their friends, and not sufi'ered to return. When Mr. 
Burson went out, he put the ballot poll-books in his pocket, 
and took them with him ; and, as he was going out, Jones 
snatched some papers away from him, and shortly afterward 
came out himself, holding them up, crying ' hurrah for Missouri.' 
After he discovered they were not the poll-books, he took a 
party of men with him and started off to take the poll-books 
from Burson. Mr. Burson saw them coming, and he gave the 



INTRODUCTION. 



11 



books to Mr. Umberger, and told him to start off in another 
direction, so as to mislead Jones and his party. Jones and his 
party caught Mr. Umberger, took the poll-books away from him, 
and Jones took him np behind him on a horse, and carried him 
back a prisoner. After Jones and his party had taken Umber- 
ger back, they went to the house of Mr. Ramsay, g,nd took 
Judge John A. Wakefield prisoner, and carried him to the place 
of election, and made him get up on a wagon and make them a 
speech ; after which they put a white ribbon in his button-hole 
and let him go. They then chose two new Judges, and prO' 
ceeded with the election. 

" They also threatened to kill the Judges if they did not 
receive their votes without swearing them, or else resign. 
They said no man should vote who would submit to be sworn; 
that they would kill any one who would offer to do so. They 
said no man should vote this day unless he voted an open 
ticket, and was ' all right on the goose,' and that if they could 
not vote by fair means, they would by foul means. They said 
they had as much right to vote, if they had been in the Terri- 
tory two minutes, as if they had been there for two years, and 
they would vote. Some of the citizens who were about the 
window, but had not voted when the crowd of Missourians 
marched up there, upon attempting to vote, were driven back 
by the mob, or driven off. One of them, Mr. J. M. Macey, 
was asked if he would take the oath, and upon his replying 
that he would if the Judges required it, he was dragged 
through the crowd away from the polls, amid cries of ' Kill 

the d d nigger thief! ' 'Cut his throat ! ' ' Tear his heart 

out ! ' After they got him to the outside of the crowd, they 
stood around him with cocked revolvers and drawn bowie- 
knives, one man putting a knife to his heart, so that it touched 
him, another holding a cocked pistol to his ear, while another 
struck at him with a club. The Missourians said they had a 
right to vote if they had been in the Territory but five minutes. 
Some said they had been hired to come there and vote, and 
got a dollar a day, and they would vote or die there. They 
said the 30th day of March was an important day, as Kansas 
would be made a Slave State on that day. They began to leave 
in the direction of Missouri in the afternoon, after they had voted, 
leaving some thirty or forty around the house where the elec- 
tion was held, to guard the polls until after the election was 
over." 



12 



INTRODUCTION. 



Notwitlistaiiding these troubles a constitution was prepared 
bj the people of Kansas, and forwarded to Congress bj com- 
missioners appointed for tbat purpose. It failed, however, 
to become a law, and Kansas remained a territory until the 
year 1860, when it was admitted into the Union as a free 
State. 

After the overthrow of the Whig party, in 1852, it disap- 
peared from the arena of politics as a national party, preserv- 
ing its identity in a few localities. In its stead arose a party 
that for a short time threatened by its rapid growth to over- 
whelm the Democratic party and utterly destroy it. The 
Native American party had existed for many years, but had 
never reached formidable proportions. When the Whig 
party was left without leaders, and the results of 1862 dis- 
heartened its members, they sought refuge in the Native Ame- 
rican party. Secret organizations were effected, men were 
initiated into its mysteries, and all the preliminary preparations 
for elections were carried on within doors. Men were nomi- 
nated for office and elected, without even knowing that their 
names had been mentioned favorably in connection with the 
trust committed to them. They were astounded — astonished, 
and the thing seemed so novel that in a very few months it 
d)"ew away great portions of the Democratic party. This new 
party received the euphonious name of Know Nothing, sup- 
posed to have originated from the circumstance that when 
members were- questioned in regard to the strangely political 
proceedings, they knew nothing. With this party, for a short 
time, the temperance cause was united, and the famous Maine 
Law was passed in almost every Northern State. In almost 
every local election the Democracts were defeated by immense 
majorities. This was a strange phenomena in politics, and the 
sudden revolution could scarcely be accounted for, The Demo- 
crats had achieved a great national victory a year or two 
before, which made this sudden change the more astounding. 



INTRODUCTION. 



13 



About the year 1855, the Republican party made its 
appearance in the councils of the Native American party, and 
soon rose to a prominent and commanding position. It con- 
tinued its connection with tha.t party until the spring of 1856. 

The time for an election of President of the United States 
was rapidly approaching, and the different parties commenced 
active preparations to place their candidates in the field. 
What remained of the Democractic party perfected its organi- 
zation, and appointed its delegates to a National Convention, 
to meet in Cincinnati, Ohio. That convention assembled, and 
after the usual preliminary proceedings nominated James 
Buchanan, of Pennsylvania, as the candidate. 

The Native American (or Know Nothing) and the Repub- 
lican parties united, were the only formidable opponents to 
the Democrats. It was the desire of the leaders of the two 
former parties to unite their strength against the Democrats, 
and by concert of action ensure its defeat. Delegates were 
appointed to a national convention, to assemble in Philadel- 
phia, in April, 1856, to nominate a candidate for the Presi- 
dency. That convention assembled, and an effort was made 
to nominate Millard Fillmore, of New York, who had filled the 
office of President of the United States to the satisfaction of 
the people, from the death of President Taylor, in 1849, to 
the expiration of the term, in 1853. Mr. Fillmore had made 
himself obnoxious to the Republicans by signing the Fugitive 
Slave Bill. To the Native Americans he was acceptable, 
because of his Native American proclivities. The latter 
party desired to exclude the slavery question from the con- 
vention, and nominate only on Native American principles. 
This did not suit the other branch of the convention, as the 
Republicans had many foreigners in their ranks, enemies to 
Native American principles, who were unfavorable to slavery 
and opposed to its extension ; they must, therefore, have a 



14 



INTRODUCTION. 



candidate embodjingj to a certain extent, the above prin- 
ciples. After a session of a few days, the Republican portion 
of the convention withdrew, held a meeting and appointed a 
convention to meet in New York City, in the following June. 
The Native American convention nominated Millard Fillmore, 
of New York, as their candidate, and then adjourned. 

The Convention appointed for June assembled, and after 
adopting a platform, nominated John C. Fremont as the can- 
didate of the Republican party, and from thence henceforward 
it became a distinct and separate organization. It is supposed 
to have its origin in the long contest that took place in Con- 
gress, 1855, for Speaker of the House of Representatives, 
which resulted in the election of Nathaniel P. Banks, of Mas- 
sachusetts. Its principles on the question of slavery may be 
thus briefly embodied : — ^Opposition to the extension of slavery, 
confining it strictly within its present bounds, but a non-inter- 
ference with it in the localities where it now exists. 

When the candidates were thus in the field, the slaveholding 
States threatened that if John C. Fremont was elected, it 
would be sufficient cause for their separation and withdrawal 
from the Federal Union. The contest was a severe one, and 
resulted in the defeat of the Republican party. James 
Buchanan was elected, and on the 4th of March, 1857, was 
inaugurated as President of the United States. 

At>out this time a secret organization sprung up, entitled 
the Knights of the G-olden Circle, whose avowed object was 
the overthrow of the Federal Grovernment, and the creation of 
a Southern Confederacy. Its operations were confined mostly 
to the South, and but little attention was paid to it in the North. 
The country remained in peace and quietness until the Spring 
of 1860, when the political campaign' for the Presidency was 
opened with vigor and unusual bitterness. 



A HISTORY 

OF THE 

CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



CHAPTER I. 

THE POLITICAL CAMPAIGN OF EIGHTEEN HXJNDEED AND SIXTY. 

Early in the year 1860, preparations were made by the dif- 
ferent political parties to hold their National Conventions and 
nominate candidates for President of the United States, to be 
elected in the following November. The Democratic Conven- 
tion met at the City of Charleston, S. C. It was a boisterous 
session, and several antagonistical elements were at work. A 
part of the delegates were determined that Mr. Douglas, of 
Illinois, should receive the nomination, while the remainder 
were as firm that Mr, Breckinridge, of Kentucky, then Vice- 
President of the United States, should be nominated. This 
antagonism resulted in the Convention failing to make a nomi- 
nation, and it adjourned to meet in a few weeks following, at 
Baltimore ; but before leaving Charleston, each wing of the 
party adopted a platform, which was re-adopted at Baltimore, 

In order that the reader may clearly understand the position 
of the two wings of the Democratic party, we present the two 
platforms side by side : 
15 



16 



A HISTORY OF THE 



DOUGLAS PLATFORM. 

1. Resolved, That we, the 
Democracy of the Union, in 
Convention assembled, hereby 
declare our affirmance of the 
resolutions unanimously adopt- 
ed and declared as a platform 
of principles by the Democratic 
Convention at Cincinnati, in 
the year 1856, believing that 
Democratic principles are un- 
changeable in their nature, 
when applied to the same sub- 
ject matters ; and we recom- 
mend, as the only further reso- 
lutions, the follov/ing : 

Inasmuch as differences of 
opinion exist in the Democratic 
party as to the nature and ex- 
tent of the powers of a Terri- 
torial Legislature, and as to 
the powers and duties of Con- 
gress, under the Constitution 
of the United States, over the 
institution of slavery within the 
Territories, 

2. Resolved, That the De- 
mocratic party will abide by the 
decisions of the Supreme Court 
of the United States on the 
questions of Constitutional law. 

3. Resolved, That it is the 
duty of the United States to 
afford ample and complete pro- 
tection to all its citizens, whe- 
ther at home or abroad, and 
whether native or foreign. 

4. Resolved, That one of the 
necessities of the age, in a mili- 
tary, commercial and postal 
point of view, is speedy com- 



ERECKINRIDGE PLATFORM. 

Resolved, That the Platform 
adopted by the Democratic 
party at Cincinnati be affirmed, 
with the following explanatory 
resolutions : 

1 . That the government of a 
Territory organized by an act 
of Congress, is provisional and 
temporary ; and during its ex- 
istence, all citizens of the Uni- 
ted States have an equal right 
to settle with their property in 
the Territory, without their 
rights, either of person or pro- 
perty, being destroyed or im- 
paired by Congressional or Ter- 
ritorial legislation. 

2. That it is the duty of the 
Federal Government, in all its 
departments, to protect, when 
necessary, the rights of persons 
and property in the Territories, 
and wherever else its Constitu- 
tional authority extends. 

3. That when the settlers in 
a Territory having an adequate 
population, form a State Con- 
stitution, in pursuance of law, 
the right of sovereignty com- 
mences, and, being consum- 
mated by admission into the 
Union, they stand on an equal 
footing with the people of other 
States ; and the State thus or- 
ganized ought to be admitted 
into the Federal Union, whe- 
ther its Constitution prohibits 
or recognizes the institution of 
slavery. 

4. That the Democratic par- 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



ir 



munication between the Atlan- 
tic and Pacijfic States ; and the 
Democratic party pledge such 
Constitutional Government aid 
as will insure the construction 
of a railroad to the Pacific 
coast at the earliest practicable 
period. 

5. Resolved, That the De- 
mocratic party are in favor of 
the acquisition of the island of 
Cuba, on such terms as shall 
be honorable to ourselves and 
just to Spain. 

6. Resolved, That the enact- 
ments of State Legislatures to 
defeat the faithful execution of 
t^ie Fugitive Slave Law, are 
hostile in character, subversive 
of the Constitution, and revolu- 
tionary in their effect. 

7. Resolved, That it is in 
accordance with the true inter- 
pretation of the Cincinnati 
Platform, that, during the ex- 
istence of the Territorial Grov- 
ernments, the measure of re- 
striction, whatever it may be, 
imposed by the Federal Con- 
stitution on the power of the 
Territorial Legislature over the 
subject of the domestic rela- 
tions, as the same has been, or 
shall hereafter be, finally de- 
termined by the Supreme Court 
of the United States, shall be 
respected by all good citizens, 
and enforced with promptness 
and fidelity by every branch of 
the General Government. 



ty are in favor of the acquisi- 
tion of the island of Cuba, on 
such terms as shall be honora- 
ble to ourselves and just to 
Spain, at the earliest practica- 
ble moment. 

5. That the enactments of 
State Legislatures to defeat 
the faithful execution of the 
Fugitive Slave Law are hostile 
in character, subversive of the 
Constitution, and revolutionary 
in their efi:ect. 

6. That the Democracy of 
the United States recognize it 
as the imperative duty of this 
Government to protect the na- 
turalized citizen in all his 
rights, whether at home or in 
foreign lands, to the same ex- 
tent as its native-born citizens. 

Whereas, one of the greatest 
necessities of the age in a po- 
litical, commercial, postal and 
military point of view, is a 
speedy communication between 
the Pacific and Atlantic coasts ; 
therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the Demo- 
cratic party do hereby pledge 
themselves to use every means 
in their power to secure the 
passage of some bill, to the ex- 
tent of the Constitutional au- 
thority of Congress, for the con- 
struction of a Pacific Railroad 
from the Mississippi River to 
the Pacific Ocean, at the ear- 
liest practicable moment. 



18 



A HISTORY OF THE 



As both the Douglas and Breckinridge Conventions re- 
adopted the Democratic Platform of 1856, the re-publication 
of that document seems necessary to an understanding of the 
present position of the " National Democracy." 

Democratic Platform, Adopted at Cincinnati, June 6, 

1856. 

Resolved, That the American Democracy place their trust 
in the intelligence, the patriotism and the discriminating jus- 
tice of the American people. 

Resolved, That we regard this as a distinctive feature of 
our political creed, which we are proud to maintain before the 
world as a great moral element in a form of government 
springing from and upheld by the popular will ; and we con- 
trast it with the creed and practice of Federalism, under what- 
ever name or form, which seeks to palsy the will of the con- 
stituent, and which conceives no imposture too monstrous for 
the popular credulity. 

Resolved, therefore, That, entertaining these views, the 
Democratic party of this Union, through their delegates, as- 
sembled in general convention, coming together in a spirit of 
concord, of devotion to the doctrines and faith of a free repre- 
sentative government, and appealing to their fellow-citizens 
for the rectitude of their intentions, renew and reassert before 
the American people the declarations of principles avowed by 
them, when, on former occasions, in general convention, they 
have presented their candidates for the popular suffrage. 

1. That the Federal Government is one of limited power, 
derived solely from the Constitution, and the grants of power 
made therein ought to be strictly construed by all the depart- 
ments and agents of the Government, and that it is inexpe- 
dient and dangerous to exercise doubtful constitutional powers. 

2. That the Constitution does not confer upon the Greneral 
Government the power to commence and carry on a general 
system of internal improvements. 

3. That the Constitution does not confer authority upon the 
Federal Government, directly or indirectly, to assume the 
debts of the several States, contracted for local and internal 
improvements, or other State purposes, nor would such as- 
suDiption be just or expedient. 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



19 



4. That justice and sound policy forbid the Federal Grovern- 
ment to foster one branch of industry to the detriment of 
another ; or to cherish the interest of one portion of our com- 
mon country to the detriment of another ; that every citizen 
and every section of the country has a right to demand and 
insist upon an equality of rights and privileges, and a complete 
and ample protection of persons and property from domestic 
violence and foreign aggression. 

5. That it is the duty of every branch of the Grovernment 
to enforce and practice the most rigid economy in conducting 
our public affairs, and that no more revenue ought to be raised 
than is required to defray the necessary expenses of the Gov- 
ernment, and provide for the gradual but certain extinction of 
the public debt. 

6. That the proceeds of the public lands ought to be sa- 
credly applied to the national objects specified in the Consti- 
tution, and that we are opposed to any law for the distribution 
of such proceeds among the States, as alike inexpedient in 
policy, and repugnant to the Constitution. 

7. That Congress has no power to charter a National Bank ; 
that we believe such an institution one of deadly hostility to 
the best interests of this country, dangerous to our republican 
institutions and the liberties of the people, and calculated to 
place the business of the country within the control of a con- 
centrated money power, and above the laws and will of the 
people ; and the results of the Democratic legislation in this 
and all other financial measures upon which issues have been 
made between the two political parties of the country, have 
demonstrated to candid and practical men of all parties their 
soundness, safety and utility in all business pursuits. 

8. That the separation of the moneys of the Government 
from banking institutions is indispensable to the safety of the 
funds of the Government and the rights of the people. 

9. That we are decidedly opposed to taking from the Pre- 
sident the qualified veto power by which he is enabled, under 
restrictions and responsibilities amply sufiicient to guard the 
public interest, to suspend the passage of a bill whose merits 
cannot secure the approval of two-thirds of the Senate and 
House of Representatives, until the judgment of the people 
can be obtained thereon, and which has saved the American 
people from the corrupt and tyrannical dominion of the Bank 



20 



A HISTORY OF THE 



of the United States, and from a corrupting system of general 
internal improvements. 

10. That the liberal principles embodied by Jefferson in the 
Declaration of Independence, and sanctioned in the Constitu- 
tion, which makes ours the land of liberty and the asylum of 
the oppressed of every nation, have ever been cardinal prin- 
ciples in the Democratic faith ; and every attempt to abridge 
the privilege of becoming citizens and the owners of soil among 
us ought to be resisted with the same spirit which swept the 
alien and sedition laws from our statute books. 

And whereas, Since the foregoing declaration was uniformly 
adopted by our predecessors in national conventions, an ad- 
verse political and religious test has been secretly organized 
by a party claiming to be exclusively Americans, and it is 
proper that the American Democracy should clearly define its 
relations thereto ; and declare its determined opposition to all 
secret political societies, by whatever name they may be 
called. 

Resolved, That the foundation of this Union of States hav- \ 
ing been laid in, and its prosperity, expansion and pre-emi- 
nent example in free government, built upon entire freedom 
in matters of religious concernment, and no respect of persons 
in regard to rank, or place of birth, no party can justly be 
deemed national, constitutional, or in accordance with Ameri- 
can principles, which bases its exclusive organization upon 
religious opinions and accidental birth-place. And hence a 
political crusade in the nineteenth century, and in the United 
States of America, against Catholics and foreign-born, is nei- 
ther justified by the past history or future prospects of the 
country, nor in unison with the spirit of toleration and 
enlightened freedom, which peculiarly distinguishes the Ame- 
rican system of popular government. 

Resolved, That we reiterate with renewed energy of pur- 
pose the well considered declarations of former conventions of 
upon the sectional issue of domestic slavery, and concerning 
the reserved rights of the States — 

1. That Congress has no power under the Constitution to 
interfere with or control the domestic institutions of the seve- 
ral States, and that all such States are the sole and proper 
judges of everything appertaining to their own afi"airs not pro- 
hibited by the Constitution ; that all efforts of the abolition- 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



21 



ists or others made to induce Congress to interfere with ques- 
tions of slavery, or to take incipient steps in relation thereto, 
are calculated to lead to the most alarming and dangerous 
consequences, and that all such eflforts have an inevitable 
tendency to diminish the happiness of the people, and endan- 
ger the stability and permanency of the Union, and ought 
not to be countenanced by any friend of our political insti- 
tutions. 

2. That the foregoing proposition covers and was intended 
to embrace the whole subject of Slavery agitation in Congress, 
and therefore the Democratic party of the Union, standing on 
this national platform, will abide by and adhere to a faithful 
execution of the acts known as the Compromise measures, 
settled by the Congress of 1850, " the act for reclaiming fugi- 
tives from service or labor" included, which act being designed 
to carry out an express provision of the Constitution, cannot, 
with fidelity thereto, be repealed, or so changed as to destroy 
or impair its efficiency. 

3. That the Democratic party will resist all attempts at 
renewing in Congress, or out of it, the agitation of the Slavery 
question, under whatever shape or color the attempt may be 
made. 

4. That the Democratic party will faithfully abide by 
and uphold the principles laid down in the Kentucky and 
Virginia resolutions of 1798 and 1799, and in the report of 
Mr. Madison to the Virginia Legislature in 1799 — that it 
adopts these principles as constituting one of the main founda- 
tions of its political creed, and is resolved to carry them out 
in their obvious meaning and import. 

And that we may the more distinctly meet the issue on 
which a sectional party, subsisting exclusively on Slavery 
agitation, now relies to test the fidelity of the people, North 
and South, to the Constitution and the Union — 

1. Resolved, That claiming fellowship with and desiring the 
co-operation of all who regard the preservation of the Union 
under the Constitution as the paramount issue, and repudiat- 
ing all sectional parties and platforms concerning domestic 
Slavery, which seek to embroil the States and incite to treason 
and armed resistance to law in the Territories, and whose 
avowed purpose, if consummated, must end in civil war and 
disunion, the American Democracy recognize and adopt the 



22 



A HISTORY or THE 



principles contained in the organic laws establishing the Ter- 
ritories of Nebraska and Kansas, as embodying the only sound 
and safe solution of the Slavery question, upon which the 
great national idea of the people of this whole country can 
repose in its determined conservation of the Union, and non- 
interference of Congress with Slavery in the Territories or in 
the District of Columbia. 

2. That this was the basis of the compromises of 1850, con- 
firmed by both the Democratic and Whig parties in national 
conventions, ratified by the people in the elections of 1852, 
and rightly applied to the organization of the Territories in 
1854. 

3. That by the uniform application of the Democratic 
principle to the organization of Territories, and the admission 
of new States, with or without domestic Slavery, as they may 
elect, the equal rights of all the States will be preserved 
intact, the original compacts of the Constitution maintained 
inviolate, and the perpetuity and expansion of the Union 
insured to its utmost capacity of embracing, in peace and har- 
mony, every future American State that may be constituted 
or annexed with a Republican form of government. 

Resolved^ That we recognize the right of the people of all 
the Territories, including Kansas and Nebraska, acting 
through the legally and fairly expressed will of the majority 
of the actual residents, and whenever the number of their 
inhabitants justifies it, to form a constitution, with or without 
domestic Slavery, and be admitted into the Union upon terms 
of perfect equality with the other States. 

Resolved, finally, That in view of the condition of the 
popular institutions in the Old World (and the dangerous 
tendencies of sectional agitation, combined with the attempts 
to enforce civil and religious disabilities against the rights of 
acquiring and enjoying citizenship in our own land,) a high 
and sacred duty is involved with increased responsibility upon 
the Democratic party of this country, as the party of the 
Union, to uphold and maintain the rights of every State, and 
thereby the Union of the States — and to sustain and advance 
among us constitutional liberty, by continuing to resist all 
monopolies and exclusive legislation for the benefit of the few 
at the expense of the many, and by a vigilant and constant 
adherence to those principles and compromises of the Consti- 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



23 



tution — which are broad enough and strong enough to 
embrace and uphold the Union as it was, the Union as it is, 
and the Union as it shall be — in the full expression of the 
energies and capacity of this great and progressive people. 

1. Resolved, That there are questions connected with the 
foreign policy of this country, which are inferior to no domes- 
tic question whatever. The time has come for the people of 
the United States to declare themselves in favor of free seas, 
and progressive free trade throughout the world, and, by 
solemn manifestations, to place their moral influence at the 
side of their successful example. 

2. Resolved, That our geographical and political position 
with reference to the other States of this continent, no less 
than the interest of our commerce and the development of our 
growing power, requires that we should hold sacred the prin- 
ciples involved in the Monroe doctrine. Their bearing and 
import admit of no misconstruction, and should be applied 
with unbendmg rigidity. 

3. Resolved, That the great highway, which nature as well 
as the assent of States most immediately interested in its 
maintenance, has marked out for free communication between 
the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, constitutes one of the most 
important achievements realized by the spirit of modern times, 
in the unconquerable energy of our people ; and that result 
would be secured by a timely and efficient exertion of the 
control which we have the right to claim over it, and no power 
on earth should be suffered to impede or clog its progress by 
any interference with relations that it may suit our policy to 
establish between our Grovernment and the government of the 
States within whose dominion it lies ; we can under no circum- 
stances surrender our preponderance in the adjustment of all 
questions arising out of it. * 

4. Resolved, That in view of so commanding an interest, 
the people of the United States cannot but sympathize with 
the efforts which are being made by the people of Central 
America to regenerate that portion of the continent which 
covers the passage across the interoceanic isthmus. 

5. Resolved, That the Democratic party will expect of the 
next Administration that every proper effort be made to insure 
our ascendancy in the Grulf of Mexico, and to maintain perma- 
nent protection to the great outlets through which are emptied 



24 



A HISTORY OF THE 



into its waters the products raised out of the soil and the com- 
modities created by the industry of the people of our Western 
valleys and of the Union at large. 

Resolved^ That the Administration of Franklin Pierce has 
been true to Democratic principles, and therefore true to the 
great interests of the country ; in the face of violent opposi- 
tion, he has maintained the laws at home, and vindicated the 
rights of American citizens abroad ; and therefore we proclaim 
our unqualified admiration of his measures and policy. 

When the Democratic Convention re-assembled at Balti- 
more, June the 18th, the antagonism still existed, and the Breck- 
inridge portion withdrew. The Douglas wing then nominated 
Stephen A. Douglas, and adjourned. The Breckinridge wing 
met at Baltimore, June 28th, and nominated John C. Breck- 
inridge as their candidate. The Democratic party was now 
divided against itself, and in this dismembered condition went 
into the political campaign. Both wings had re-adopted the 
Cincinnati platform of 1856, and professed to be governed by 
its principles. The division seemed to be caused more by per- 
sonal friendship for the candidates, than by a difference of 
opinion on the doctrine and principles of the party. Mr. Douglas 
was an opponent of the administration of Mr. Buchanan, while 
Mr. Breckinridge was a firm adherent and supporter of it. 
Whatever differences may have existed in the party, it 
united in charging the Kepublican party with sectionalism, and 
with a desire to elect a President exclusively for the North, 
and in opposition to the interest and well-being of the South. 
Again were heard the threats from the Southern States, 
and especially from South Carolina, that if the Bepublican 
party elected a President, it would be a good and sufficient 
cause for the withdrawal of these States from the Federal 
Union. 

The Bepublican Convention met in Chicago, May the 18th, 
and adopted tho following platform : 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



25 



Republican National Platform, Adopted at Chicago, 

1860. 

Resolved, That we, the delegated representatives of the 
Republican electors of the United States, in convention assem- 
bled, in discharge of the duty we owe to our constituents and 
our country, unite in the following declarations : 

1 . That the history of the nation, during the last four years, 
has fully established the propriety and necessity of the organi- 
zation and perpetuation of the Republican party, and that the 
causes which called it into existence are permanent in their 
nature, and now, more than ever before, demand its peaceful 
and constitutional triumph. 

2. That the maintenance of the principles promulgated in 
the Declaration of Independence and embodied in the Federal 
Constitution, " That all men are created equal ; that they are 
endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights ; that 
among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness : 
that to secure these rights, governments are instituted among 
men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the 
governed," is essential to the preservation of our Republican 
institutions ; and that the Federal Constitution, the rights of 
the States, and the Union of the States, must and shall be 
preserved. 

3. That to the Union of the States this nation owes its 
unprecedented increase in population, its surprising develop- 
ment of material resources, its rapid augmentation of wealth, 
its happiness at home and its honor abroad ; and we hold in 
abhorrence all schemes for Disunion, come from whatever 
source they may : and we congratulate the country that no 
Republican member of Congress has uttered or countenanced 
the threats of Disunion so often made by Democratic members, 
without rebuke and with applause from their political asso- 
ciates ; and we denounce those threats of Disunion, in case of 
a popular overthrow of their ascendency, as denying the vital 
principles of a free government, and as an avowal of contem- 
plated treason, which it is the imperative duty of an indignant 
people sternly to rebuke and for ever silence. 

4. That the maintenance inviolate of the rights of the States, 
and especially the right of each State to order and control its 
own domestic institutions according to its own judgment exclu- 

2 



26 



A HISTORY OF THE 



sively, is essential to that balance of powers on which the per- 
fection and endurance of our political fabric depends ; and 
we denounce the lawless invasion by armed force of the soil of 
any State or Territory, no matter under what pretext, as 
among the gravest of crimes. 

5. That the present Democratic Administration has far ex- 
ceeded our worst apprehensions, in its measureless subserviency 
to the exactions of a sectional interest, as especially evinced 
in its desperate exertions to force the infamous Lecompton 
Constitution upon the protesting people of Kansas ; in con- 
struing the personal relation between master and servant to 
involve an unqualified property in persons ; in its attempted 
enforcement, everywhere, on land and sea, through the inter- 
vention of Congress and of the Federal Courts of the extreme 
pretensions of a purely local interest ; and in its general and 
unvarying abuse of the power intrusted to it by a confiding 
people. 

6. That the people justly view with alarm the reckless 
extravagance which pervades every department of the Federal 
Grovernment ; that a return to rigid economy and accountability 
is indispensable to arrest the systematic plunder of the public 
treasury by favored partisans, while the recent startling deve- 
lopments of frauds and corruptions at the Federal metropolis, 
show that an entire change of administration is imperatively 
demanded. 

7. That the new dogma, that the Constitution, of its own 
force, carries slavery into any or all of the Territories of the 
United States, is a dangerous political heresj^, at variance with 
the explicit provisions of that instrument itself, with contem- 
poraneous exposition, and with legislative and judicial prece- 
dent ; is revolutionary in its tendency, and subversive of the 
peace and harmony of the country. 

8. That the normal condition of all the Territory of the 
United States is that of freedom ; that as our Republican 
fathers, when they had abolished .slavery in all our national 
territory, ordained " that no person should be deprived of 
ht% liberty, or property, without due process of law," it 
bea''ii;cs our duty, by legislation, whenever such legislation 
is n-'oGSsary, to maintain this provision of the Constitution 
against ail attempts to violate it ; and we deny the authority 
of Congress, of a territorial legislature, or of any individuals, 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



27 



to give legal existence to slavery in any Territory of tlie United 
States. 

9. That we brand the recent re-opening of the African 
slave trade, under the cover of our national flag, aided by per- 
versions of judicial power, as a crime against humanity and a 
burning shame to our country and age ; and we call upon Con- 
gress to take prompt and efficient measures for the total and 
final suppression of that execrable traffic. 

10. That in the recent vetoes, by their Federal Grovernors, 
of the Acts of the Legislatures of Kansas and Nebraska, pro- 
hibiting slavery in those Territories, we find a practical illus- 
tration of the boasted Democratic principle of Non-interven- 
tion and Popular Sovereignty, embodied in the Kansas-Nebraska 
bill, and a demonstration of the deception and fraud involved 
therein. 

11. That Kansas should, of right, be immediately admitted 
as a State under the Constitution recently formed and adopted 
by her people, and accepted by the House of Representatives. 

12. That, while providing revenue for the support of the 
G-eneral Government by duties upon imports, sound policy 
requires such an adjustment of these imports as to encourage 
the development of the industrial interest of the whole country; 
and we commend that policy of national exchanges which 
secures to the working men liberal wages, to agriculture remu- 
nerative prices, to mechanics and manufacturers an adequate 
reward for their skill, labor and enterprise, and to the nation 
commercial prosperity and independence. 

13. That we protest against any sale or alienation to others 
of the public lands held by actual settlers, and against any 
view of the Homestead policy which regards the settlers as 
paupers or suppliants for public bounty ; and we demand the 
passage by Congress of the complete and satisfactory Home- 
stead measure which has already passed the House. 

14. That the Republican party is opposed to any change in 
our Naturalization Laws or any State legislation by which the 
rights of citizenship hitherto accorded to immigrants from 
foreign lands shall be abridged or impaired ; and in favor of 
giving a full and efficient protection to the rights of all classes 
of citizens, whether native or naturalized, both at home and 
abroad. 

15. That appropriations by Congress for river and harbor 



28 



A. HISTORY OF THE 



improvements of a national character, required for the accommo- 
dation and security of an existing commerce, are authorized 
by the Constitution, and justified by the obligations of Govern- 
ment to protect the lives and property of its citizens. 

16. That a railroad to the Pacific Ocean is imperatively 
demanded by the interest of the whole country; that the 
Federal Grovernment ought to render immediate and efficient 
aid in its construction ; and that, as preliminary thereto, a 
daily overland mail should be promptly established. 

17. Finally, having thus set forth our distinctive principles 
and views, we invite the cooperation of all citizens, however 
difiering on other questions, who substantially agree with us 
in their affirmance and support. 

Abraham Lincoln, of Illinois, and Hannibal Hamlin, of 
Maine, both Northern men, were nominated, and with these 
candidates the party entered the field. The cry of Secession 
and Disunion became more loud and long, which gave rise to 
a third party, composed principally of disaffected Democrats 
and Native Americans, who took the name of the Union party. 
Delegates were elected to a National Convention, which assem- 
bled in Baltimore, May 9th, and adopted the following plat- 
form: 

Bell-Everett Platform, Adopted at Baltimore, 1860. 

Whereas, Experience has demonstrated that platforms adopt- 
ed by the partisan conventions of the country have had the 
effect to mislead and deceive the people, and at the same time 
to widen the political divisions of the country, by the creation 
and encouragement of geographical and sectional parties ; 
therefore 

Resolved, That it is both the part of patriotism and of duty 
to recognize no political principle other than the Constitu- 
tion OF THE Country, the Union of the States, and the 
Enforcement of the Laws, and that as representatives of 
the Constitutional Union men of the country, in National Con- 
vention assembled, we hereby pledge ourselves to maintain, 
protect and defend, separately and unitedly, these great prin- 
ciples of public liberty and national safety, against all enemies 



CIVIL TYAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



29 



at home and abroad, believing that thereby peace may once 
more be restored to the country, the rights of the People and 
of the States re-established, and the Grovernment again placed 
in that condition of justice, fraternity and equality which, 
under the example and Constitution of our fathers, has solemnly 
bound every citizen of the United States to maintain a more 
perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, pro- 
vide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and 
secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity. 

They then nominated John Bell, of Tennessee, and Edward 
Everett, of Massachusetts, as their candidates, and marched 
into the arena as a third combatent in the contest. 

The war of politics now waxed hot, and the usual display of 
banners, torch -light processions, night speeches and meetings, 
sharp and bitter words, and midnight marches, characterized 
the whole campaign. The murmurings of the Slave States 
became louder and louder as they beheld the formidable front 
presented by the Republican party, and the determination that 
existed in its ranks to elect its candidates. 

As November approached it became evident that the Repub- 
lican party would be successful, and in anticipation of such 
an event, preparations were made in South Carolina to convene 
the Legislature as- soon as the result of the election, should it 
be favorable to the Republicans, became known. The elec- 
toral vote of all the Northern States, concentrated on any one 
candidate, would secure his election, and the unanimity that 
existed in the Republican ranks, clearly indicated such a 
result. 

The election took place, Lincoln and Hamlin, the Republican 
candidates, were elected, every Free State voting for them, 
while the Slave States were divided between the three remain- 
ing candidates. 

Below we give the electoral vote. 



30 



A HISTORY OF THE 



Electoral Vote for President. 



For Lincoln and Hamlin. , 

California, - - - 4 

Connecticut. - - - 6 t 

Illinois, - ■ - - ' 11 I 

Indiana, - - - - 13 

Iowa, _ - - - 4 

Maine, . - - - 8 

Massachusetts, - - - 13 

Michigan, - 6 

Minnesota, _ - _ 4 

New Hampshire, - - 5 

New Jersey, _ - - 4 

New York, - ' - - 85 

Ohio, . . - . 23 

Oregon, - - - - 3 

Pennsylvania, - - - 27 

Rhode Island, - - - 4 

Vermont, - - - - 5 

Wisconsin, - _ - 5 

Total, - - - 180 

For Bell and Everett. 

Kentucky, - - - 12 

Tennessee, - - - 12 

Yirginia, - - - - 15 

Total, 89 



For Breckinridge and Lane. 



Alabama, - 9 

Arkansas, - - - - 4 

Delaware, - - - - 3 

Florida, - - - - 3 

Georgia, - - - - 10 

Louisiana, . - - 6 

Maryland, - 8 

Mississippi, _ _ _ 7 

North Carolina, - - 10 

South Carolina, - - 8 

Texas, _ - - _ 4 

Total, - . - 72 

For Douglas and Johnson. 

Missouri, - 9 

New Jersey, - 3 

Total, - . . 12 



Recapitulation. 

For Lincoln and Hamlin, - 180 

For Breckinridge and Lane, 72 

For Bell and Everett, - 39 

For Douglas and Johnson, 12 

Whole Electoral Vote, 303 

Lincoln's majority over all, 67 



As soon as the result was known, South Carolina made pre- 
parations to withdraw from the Union, and establish herself as 
a free and independent nation. 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



31 



CHAPTER II. 

SECESSION OF SOUTH CAROLINA* 

Immediately after the election of Lincoln, public meetings 
were held in the State of South Carolina, at which resolutions 
were adopted, declaring that it was incompatible with the 
interest, rights and dignity of the State to remain longer in 
the Federal Union, and submit to the rule of an abolition 
administration. It seemed from the language in which many 
of the resolutions were couched, that they believed it was the 
intention of the Republican party, when it came into power, 
at once to make a raid ^ipon the State, and at one sweep brush 
slavery from its soil. This impression was not modified or 
denied by the political leaders in the State : but, on the con- 
trary, the public mind was inflamed by the most bitter speeches, 
consisting of falsehoods and misrepresentations, the most un- 
reasonable and improbable. Not a moment was taken for 
second thought or sober reflection ; but with a wild, insane 
enthusiasm the State rushed forward into open insurrection. 

The Federal Officers, with the exception of the Postmaster 
and the Collector of Customs, resigned their offices. The 
United States Senators, Hammond and Chestnut, resigned 
their seats in the Senate, and M. L. Bonham his seat in the 
House of Representatives. 

The State Legislature assembled on the 27th day of Novem- 
ber, and immediately provided for a State Convention, to meet 
on the 17th day of December. Delegates were elected and 
the Convention assembled at Columbia on the day appointed, 
and Gren. D. F. Jamison was chosen President. The small- 
pox at that time was prevailing in Columbia, and the Conven- 
tion adjourned to meet in Charleston next day. 



32 



A HISTOHY OF THE 



On the 20th of December the following ordinance was passed : 
AN ORDINANCE 

To Dissolve the Union between the State of South 
Carolina and other States united with her under 
the compact entitled "The Constitution of the 
United States of America.'' 

We, the People of the State of South Carolina^ in Conven- 
tion assembled, do declare and ordain, and it is hereby declared 
and ordained, That the Ordinance adopted by us in Conven- 
tion, on the 23d day of May, in the year of our Lord one 
thousand seven hundred and eighty-eight, whereby the Con- 
stitution of the United States of America was ratified, and 
also, all Acts and parts of Acts of the General iVssembly of 
this State, ratifying amendments of the said Constitution, are 
hereby repealed ; and that the union now subsisting between 
South Carolina and other States, under the name of " The 
United States of America," is hereby dissolved. 

The day following, H. W. Barnwell, J. H. Adams, and 
James L. Orr, were appointed Commissioners to proceed to 
Washington, to treat with the Federal Grovernment for a divi- 
sion of public property, and the surrender of the forts in the 
harbor of Charleston, and a recognition of the Independence 
of South Carolina. 

On the 24th, the following Declaration of Independence 
was passed by the Convention : 

Declaration op Independence of South Carolina, done 
IN Convention, December 24, 1860. 

The State of South Carolina, having determined to resume 
her separate and equal place among nations, deems it due to 
herself, to the remaining United States of America, and to the 
nations of the world, that she should declare the causes which 
have led to this act. 

In the j^ear i 765, that portion of the British Empire em- 
bracing Grreat Britain, undertook to make laws for the govern- 
ment of that portion composed of the thirteen Amei*ican Colo- 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



33 



nies. A struggle for the right of self-government ensued, 
which resulted on the 4th of July, 1776, in a Declaration by 
the Colonies, " that they are, and of right ought to be, free 
and independent States, and that as free and independent 
States, they have full power to levy war, to conclude peace, 
contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts 
and things which independent States may of right do." 

They further solemnly declare, that whenever any " form 
of government becomes destructive of the ends for which it 
was established, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish 
it, and to institute a new government." Deeming the govern- 
ment of Grreat Britain to have become destructive of these 
ends, they declared that the Colonies " are absolved from all 
allegiance to the British crown, and that all political connec- 
tion between them and the States of Grreat Britain is, and 
ought to be totally dissolved." 

In pursuance of this Declaration of Independence, each of 
the thirteen States proceeded to exercise its separate sove- 
reignty ; adopted for itself a constitution, and appointed officers 
for the administration of government in all its departments — 
legislative, executive and judicial. For purposes of defense, 
they united their arms and their counsels ; and, in 1778, they 
entered into a league, known as the articles of confederation, 
whereby they agreed to intrust the administration of their 
external relations to a common agent, known as the Congress 
of the United States, expressly declaring, in the first article, 
" that each State retains its sovereignty, freedom and inde- 
pendence, and every power, jurisdiction, and right which is 
not, by this confederation, expressly delegated to the United 
States in Congress assembled." 

Under this confederation the war of the Revolution was 
carried on, and on the 3d of September, 1783, the contest 
ended, and a definitive treaty was signed by Grreat Britain, in 
which she acknowledged the independence of the Colonies in 
the following terms : 

Article 1. — His Britannic Majesty acknowledges the said 
United States, viz : — New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, 
Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New 
York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Vir- 
ginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, to be free, 
sovereign, and independent States ; that he treats with them 
2* 



34 



A HISTORY OF THE 



as such ; and for himself, his heirs and successors, relinquishes 
all claims to the government, proprietary and territorial rights 
of the same and every part thereof. 

Thus was established the two great principles asserted by 
the Colonies, namely, the right of a State to govern itself, and 
the right of a people to abolish a government when it becomes 
destructive of the ends for which it was instituted. And con- 
current with the establishment of these principles was the fact, 
that each Colony became and was recognized by the mother 
country as a free, sovereign and independent State. 

In 1787, Deputies were appointed by the States to revise 
the articles of confederation, and on 17th September, 1787, 
these Deputies recommended for the adoption of the States 
the articles of union known as the Constitution of the United 
States. 

The parties to whom this Constitution was submitted, were 
the several sovereign States ; they were to agree or disagree, 
and when nine of them agreed, the compact was to take effect 
among those concurring ; and the general government, as the 
common agent, was then to be invested with their authority. 

If only nine of the thirteen States had concurred, the other 
four would have remained as they then were — separate, sove- 
reign States, independent of any of the provisions of the 
Constitution. In fact, two of the States did not accede to the 
Constitution until long after it had gone into operation among 
the other eleven ; and during that interval, they exercised the 
functions of an independent nation. 

By this Constitution, certain duties were charged on the 
several States, and the exercise of certain of their powers 
restrained, which necessarily implied their continued existence 
as sovereign States. But, to remove all doubt, an amendment 
was added, which declared that the powers not delegated to 
the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to 
the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the 
people. On 23d May, 1788, South Carolina, by a convention 
of her people, passed an ordinance assenting to this Constitu- 
tion, and afterward altered her own constitution, to conform 
herself to the obligations she had undertaken. 

Thus was established, by compact between the States, a 
government, with defined objects and powers, limited to the 
express words of the grant, and to so much more only as was 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



85 



necessary to execute the power granted. This limitation left 
the whole remaining mass of power subject to the clause 
reserving it to the States or to the people, and rendered 
unnecessary any specification of reserved rights. 

We hold that the government thus established is subject to 
the two great principles asserted in the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence, and we hold further that the mode of its formation 
subjects it to a third fundamental principle, namely — the law 
of compact. We maintain that in every compact between two 
or more parties, the obligation is mutual — that the failure of 
one of the contracting parties to perform a material part of the 
agreement entirely releases the obligation of the other, and 
that, where no arbiter is provided, each party is remitted, to 
his own judgment to determine the fact of failure with all its 
consequences. 

In the present case that fact is established with certainty. 
We assert that fifteen of the States have deliberately refused 
for years past to fulfill their constitutional obligations, and we 
refer to their own statutes for the proof. 

The Constitution of the United States, in its 4th article, 
provides as follows : 

" No person held to service or labor in one State, under 
the laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in consequence 
of any law or regulation therein, be discharged from such 
service or labor, but shall be delivered up, on claim of the 
party to whom such service or labor may be due." 

This stipulation was so material to the compact, that with- 
out it that compact would not have been made. The greater 
number of the contracting parties held slaves, and the State 
of Virginia had previously declared her estimate of its value 
by making it the condition of her cession of the territory which 
now compose the States north of the Ohio river. 

The same article of the Constitution stipulates, also, for the 
rendition by the several States of fugitives from justice from 
the other States. 

The general government, as the common agent, passed laws 
to carry into effect these stipulations of the States. For many 
years these laws were executed. But an increasing hostility 
on the part of the Northern States to the institution of slavery 
has led to a disregard of their obligations, and the laws of the 
general government have ceased to effect the objects of the 



36 



A HISTORY OP THE 



Constitution. Tlie States of Maine, New Hampshire, Yermont, 
Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, Penn- 
sylvania, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, and 
Iowa, have enacted laws which either nullify the acts of Con- 
gress, or render useless any attempt to execute them. In 
many of these States the fugitive is discharged from the ser- 
vice or labor claimed, and in none of them has the State 
government complied with the stipulation made in the Con- 
stitution. The State of New Jersey, at an early day, passed 
a law for the rendition of fugitive slaves in conformity with 
her constitutional undertaking ; but the current of anti-slavery 
feeling has led her more recently to enact laws which render 
inoperative the remedies provided by her own law and by the 
laws of Congress. In the State of New York even the right 
of transit for a slave has been denied by her tribunals, and 
the States of Ohio and Iowa have refused to surrender to 
justice fugitives charged with murder and with inciting servile 
insurrection in the State of Yirginia. Thus the constitutional 
compact has been deliberately broken and disregarded by the 
non-slaveholding States, and the consequence follows that 
South Carolina is released from its obligations. 

The ends for which this Constitution was framed are declared 
by itself to be " to form a more perfect union, establish justice, 
insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, 
protect the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty 
to ourselves and our posterity." 

These ends it endeavored to accomplish by a federal govern- 
ment, in which each State was recognized as an equal, and had 
separate control over its own institutions. The right of pro- 
perty in slaves was recognized by giving to free persons 
distinct political rights ; by giving them the right to represent, 
and burdening them with direct taxes for three-jfifths of their 
slaves ; by authorizing the importation of slaves for twenty 
years, and by stipulating for the rendition of fugitives from 
labor. 

We affirm that these ends for which this government was 
instituted have been defeated, and the government itself has 
been made destructive of them by the action of the non-slave- 
holding States. These States have assumed the right of 
deciding upon the propriety of our domestic institutions, and 
have denied the right of property established in fifteen of the 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 37 

States and recognized by the Constitution ; they have de- 
nounced as sinful the institution of slavery ; they have per- 
mitted the open establishment among them of societies whose 
avowed object is to disturb the peace and to eloin the property 
of the citizens of other States. They have encouraged and 
assisted thousands of our slaves to leave their homes, and 
those who remain have been incited by emissaries, books and 
pictures to servile insurrection. 

For twenty-five years, this agitation has been steadily 
increasing, until it has now secured to its aid the power of the 
common government. Observing the forms of the Constitu- 
tion, a sectional party has found within that article establishing 
the executive department the means of subverting the Con- 
stitution itself. A geographical line has been drawn across 
the Union, and all the States north of that line have united 
in the election of a man to the high office of President of the 
United States, whose opinions and purposes are hostile to 
slavery. He is to be intrusted with the administration of the 
common government, because he has declared that that " govern- 
ment cannot endure permanently half slave, half free," and 
that the public mind must rest in the belief that slavery is in 
the course of ultimate extinction. 

This sectional combination for the subversion of the Con- 
stitution has been aided in some of the States by elevating to 
citizenship persons, who, by the supreme law of the land, are 
incapable of becoming citizens, and their votes have been used 
to inaugurate a new policy hostile to the South, and destruc- 
tive of its peace and safety. 

On the 4th of March next, this party will take possession 
of the government. It has announced that the South shall be 
excluded from the common territory : that the judicial tribu- 
nals shall be made sectional, and that a war must be waged 
against slavery until it shall cease throughout the United 
States. 

The guaranties of the Constitution will then no longer exist; 
the equal rights of the States will be lost. The slaveholding 
States will no longer have the power of self-government or 
self-protection, and the federal government will have become 
their enemies. 

Sectional interest and animosity will deepen the irritation, 
and all hope of remedy is rendered vain by the fact that pub- 



38 



A HISTORY OF THE 



lie opinion at tlie North has invested a great political error 
with the sanctions of a more erroneous religious belief. 

We, therefore, the people of South Carolina, by our dele- 
gates in Convention assembled, appealing to the Supreme 
Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, have 
solemnly declared that the union heretofore existing between 
this State and the other States of North America is dissolved, 
and that the State of South Carolina has resumed her position 
among the nations of the world as a free, sovereign and inde- 
pendent State, with full power to levy war, conclude peace, 
contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts 
and things which independent States may of right do. 

-And, for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance 
on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge 
to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor. 

On the same day, the remaining representatives in Congress 
from South Carolina vacated their seats, and returned home. 

The greatest joy was manifested throughout the Southern 
States, at the secession of South Carolina. It will be seen by 
the following extracts, that the insurrection was wide-spread 
and deeply rooted, and the peaceable and successful egress of 
one State only emboldened the remainder, and made them 
more determined to carry out their designs. 

Mobile, Thursday, Dec. 20, 1860. 

The secession of South Carolina was celebrated here this 
afternoon by the firing of a hundred guns, the cheers of the 
people, and a military parade. There is great rejoicing. 

The bells are now ringing merrily, and the people are out 
in the streets by hundreds, testifying their joy at the triumph 
of secession. Many impromptu speeches are being made, and 
the greatest excitement everywhere exists. 

Mobile, Friday, Dec. 21, 1860. 

There is an immense secession meeting here to-night. The 
wildest enthusiasm is displayed. The oldest men are taking 
a prominent part in the proceedings. 

Many places are illuminated in honor of South Carolina to- 
night. 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



39 



Pensacola, Fla.j Thursday, Dec. 20, 1860. 

The secession of South Carolina is greeted with immense 
enthusiasm here. One hundred guns are being fired in honor 
of the event. 

Montgomery, Ala., Thursday, Dec. 20, 1860. 
Grovernor Moore has ordered one hundred guns to be fired 
at noon to-morrow, in honor of the secession of South Carolina. 

Norfolk, Ya., Thursday, Dec. 20, 1800, 
A large meeting of citizens was held at Ashland Hall last 
night. Resolutions were adopted recommending the holding 
of National and State Conventions ; opposing coercion ; favor- 
ing the arming of the State, and declaring against the opening 
of the African slave trade. 

New Orleans, Friday, Dec. 21, 1860, 
A general demonstration of joy on the secession of South 
Carolina occurred here to-day. One hundred guns were fired, 
and the Pelican flag unfurled. Impromptu secession speeches 
were made by leading citizens, and the iNXarseilles hymn and 
polkas were the only airs played. A bust of Calhoun was 
exhibited decorated with a cockade. 

An actor announced the secession of South Carolina last 
night from the stage of the Varieties. It was received with 
enthusiasm. 

Charleston, Friday, Dec. 21, 1860. 
There was a grand procession of Minute Men to-night, and 
several thousand citizens, strangers, firemen and military were 
in line, with music, banners, transparencies and reflectors. 
The procession formed in front of Secession Hall, and pro- 
ceeded to the Mills House to serenade Grov. Pickens, and 
subsequently to William D. Porcher, President of the Senate, 
G-eneral Simmons, Speaker of the House, General Jamison, 
President of the Convention, and Mayor Macbeth, who ac- 
knowledged their thanks and compliments. The flag borne in 
front of the procession was that of Captain Berry of the 
steamer Columbia, hoisted off Grovernor's Island. The city 
was alive with pleasurable excitement, and a number of resi- 
dences, newspaper establishments, and other public establish- 
ments were illuminated. 



40 



A HISTORY OF THE 



Mr. Gushing arrived last night, and remained five hours, 
and departed for Washington. The rumors are various as to 
his mission here. 

The Legislature to-day changed the name of the Com.mittee 
on Federal Relations to Foreign Relations, and also appointed 
a committee to report a style of State flag. 

Wilmington, Friday, Dec. 21, 1860. 
One hundred guns were to-day fired in honor of the seces- 
sion of South Carolina. 

Portsmouth, Friday, Dec. 21, 1860. 
Fifteen guns were fired to-day. The Palmetto flag was dis- 
played at Norfolk. 

Baltimore, Friday, Dec. 21, 1860. 

South Carolina's secession produced not the slightest sensa- 
tion here, one way or the other. People seemed relieved and 
cheerful, and the streets were gayly crowded and business was 
better. The prevailing sentiment seems to be that if the North 
now does right, and makes honorable, manly concessions, indi- 
cating an absolute determination to cultivate friendly feelings, 
and will repeal the obnoxious laws, the other Southern States 
will cheerfully meet them. 

Richmond, Friday, Dec. 21, 1860. 

The secession of South Carolina seems to give great satis- 
faction here. A movement is on foot to hoist the Palmetto 
flag, with fifteen stars, from the Custom House. 

I am informed upon high authority that a paper containing 
a request to Mr. Botts to leave the State is being circulated for 
signatures. It has already received the signatures of many 
influential citizens. 

Norfolk, Friday, Dec. 21, 1860. 

The Minute Men met on the stone bridge at 1 o'clock to-day 
and fired a salute of fifteen guns in honor of South Carolina. 
The Palmetto flag was hoisted by B. F. Thomas. 

On the firing of the first gun, John Tyler, son of ex-Presi- 
dent Tyler, after the firing had ceased, mounted the gun, and 
delivered a strong secession speech. 

Many of the fair ladies of the city congregated near by to 
witness the salute, and joined in by waving handkerchiefs. 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



41 



Norfolk is pledged to stand by South Carolina and the South. 
We have just telegraphed President Charleston Convention 
as follows : 

The Minute Men of Norfolk send greeting to South Carolina. 
With the glorious Palmetto flag thrown to the breeze and 
floating over our heads, we have just fired fifteeri guns in honor 
of the first step taken by that gallant State, and emblematic, 
we hope, of coming events. All honor and glory to the game- 
cock of the South. Charles Harris, 

Chief of Minute Men of Jf or folk. 

Macon, Friday, Dec. 21, 1860. 

We are jubilant over the secession of South Carolina. 
There is a grand procession of Minute Men, and bonfires, bells 
ringing, cannon firing, and Main street illuminated. Speeches 
have been made by J. R. Branham, R. A. Smith, C. Ander- 
son, P. Tracy, and others. 



42 



A nisTour OF the 



CHAPTER III. 

THE COMMITTEE OF THIRTY-THREE. 

The act of disintegration was commenced by Soutli Carolina, 
and the fearful calamity of the Union going to pieces was pal- 
pably present to the mind of every person. The only question 
was, whether this dismemberment should progress peaceably 
and quietly, or should the Government put forth its power to 
preserve itself? Upon this several other points arose, and 
upon which . the opinions of the people at the North were 
divided. By the majority of the people, the Secession move- 
ment was regarded as a rebellion, and they used their influence 
to force the Grovernment to so consider it, and deal with it 
accordingly. By others it was looked upon in the light of a 
revolution, and they desired it should be allowed to peaceably 
accomplish its object. One party looked forward to the incom- 
ing administration with hope, believing that then the power of 
the Grovernment would be exerted to quell the disturbance, 
and bring back the apostate State. The people of the North 
quietly awaited the inauguration of Mr. Lincoln ; but knowing 
that every day was precious, they felt that Secession was 
making such rapid strides that it would be almost impossible 
to arrest its progress. They looked upon the administration 
then in power as weak and imbecile, and not possessing the 
energy and sternness to deal properly with the difficulties and 
dangers that menanced it. It was a fact that Mr. Buchanan, 
the President, was surrounded by men who were in the interest 
and secrets of the Secessionists, men who occupied an extended 
influence and controlled his actions. No movement could be 
made against them, without its being immediately revealed to 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



43 



the enemies of the Grovernment. Bemg thus circumscribed in 
his actions, and not possessing firmness sufficient to command 
the confidence of the North, or the respect of the South, the 
Secession movement made great progress, crushing out and 
repressing all Union sentiment, until the majority of the 
Southern States were carried into the vortex. 

South Carolina (in her own opinion) had cut herself loose 
from the Federal Union, and launched out as a separate and 
independent nation, so amending her Constitution as to allow 
her to make treaties of peace, wage war, and do all other acts 
that an independent and sovereign nation should do. Over 
this act there was great rejoicing, because it had been accom- 
plished without opposition from the Federal Grovernment. 
This timidity on the part of the Administration only em- 
boldened the South, and for a time they verily believed that 
they could form a Confederacy, and have it acknowledged 
before the new Administration would come into power. To 
attain this object was undoubtedly one and the great cause of 
their precipitance and haste. Again, they (the leaders of the 
Secession movement) could operate on the minds of the people 
of the South, whose animosity to the North, and especially the 
Republicans, had been doubly excited and inflamed by the 
most improbable and unreasonable stories. It was urged upon 
the people that the party who elected Abraham Lincoln, were 
the rankest and vilest Abolitionists, angrily crouching in ex- 
pectation, ready when they should come into power to discharge 
every slave in the Slave States from servitude. 

We take the following extract from her declaration of rights, 
adopted by the Convention, on the 20th of December, 1860 : 

The ends for which this Government was instituted have 
been defeated, and the Grovernment itself made destructive by 
the action of the non-slaveholding States. Those States 
assumed the right of deciding on the propriety of our domestic 



44 



A HISTORY OF THE 



institutions. They denied the rights of property established 
in fifteen States, and recognized by the Constitution. 

They have denounced as sinful the institution of slavery ; 
have permitted an open establishment of societies whose avowal 
and object are to disturb the peace and prosperity of the 
citizens of other States ; they have encouraged and assisted 
thousands of our slaves to leave their homes, and those who 
remain have been incited by emissaries, by books and pictures, 
to servile insurrection. 

It was the evident design of the leaders to impress, in the 
strongest manner possible, upon the minds of the people, that 
the election of Mr. Lincoln to the Presidency, was a declara- 
tion of hostility to their interest and their rights, and it was no 
longer practicable, if possible, to remain in the Federal Union. 

The people (as a mass) understood so little of the manage- 
ment of the Grovernment, that they imagined its whole power 
could be exercised by the incoming Administration, to liberate 
their entire slave population. Their leaders would not suffer 
the people to wait until after the inauguration of Mr. Lincoln, 
and test the hostility or charity of the new Administration. 

Immediately after the Ordinance of Secession was adopted, 
the Legislature of the State passed a law to place the State on 
a war footing. The appropriation amounted to $2,500,000, 
and comprised the following items : 



General officers $5,568 

Field and other officers for ten regiments 100,228 

Horses for all the above 4,128 

10,000 privates' pay, rations and clothing 2,430,000 

Musicians 97,200 

Cavalry horses 288,000 

Artillery horses 19,200 



Total $2944„324 



This did not include the cost of guns, pistols, swords, can- 
non, powder, and other essential requisites for a military 
establishment. 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



45 



The laws of the United States, so far as applicable, were 
continued in operation by the Convention ; but all officers 
were compelled to take a new oath, and swear allegiance to 
the new Sovereignty of South Carolina. 

Commissioners were appointed to France and England, 
authorized to obtain, if possible, the recognition, by these 
powers, of the independent position of the Palmetto nation. 
Commissioners were also appointed to visit Washington, the 
Capitol of the United States, and treat with the Federal 
Government, concerning the property of the United States 
within the boundary of the Palmetto Grovernment. In con- 
nection with these. Commissioners were appointed to visit the 
Slave States, and solicit their aid in forming and establishing 
a Confederacy of the Southern States. 

South Carolina was now permanently settled on the course 
of Secession, and was running on a smooth road and at a rapid 
gait. The way seemed entirely clear, but ahead there were 
hidden difficulties, that her most wise and sagacious statesmen 
did not perceive. 

Commissioners were traveling to and fro in the Slave States, 
holding Secession meetings and addressing the people in the 
strongest language, and using the most violent terms. Every 
Slave State was visited, and those whose Legislatures were 
not in session, the Governors were importuned to immediately 
assemble them. 

The strongest efforts were made in Maryland to incite the 
people to rashness. Governor Hicks had withstood all the 
pressure brought against him, and seemed determined that his 
State, so long as was in his power to prevent it, should not leave 
the Federal Union. Mississippi took unusual interest in the 
subject, and appointed A. H. Handy a Commissioner to visit 
the State. Mr. Handy appeared in Baltimore on the 19th of 
December, 1860, and held a Secession meeting at the Mary- 



46 



A HISTORY OP THE 



land Institute Hall. From Ms address, on that occasion, we 
copy the following : 

By the election of Abraham Lincoln, the country was in 
a state of revolution ; not simply upon the fact of his election^ ♦ 
but upon the platform of his election, which has expressed the 
determination to overthrow the Constitution and subvert the 
rights of the South. The purpose of Mississippi was not to 
destroy the Union, but preserve the Constitution and the 
Union. To assert otherwise was a calumny, and he stood 
there to denounce it as such. The Constitution was subverted, 
and all that remained was a few acts to carry out the pledges 
made by the party of Lincoln. Slavery was ordained by God 
and sanctioned by humanity. The dispensation of Providence 
is that the master shall stand as guardian of the slave. It ' 
was sanctioned by the revelation of God, and dictated by a 
benevolent humanity. That position the whole North deny, 
and say that there is no justification by which one man can 
hold property in his fellow man. That has grown in the minds 
of the Northern people until they persist that slavery is a sin 
before God and the world. That is the germ of the irrecon- 
cilable conflict which has been asserted by some of the leaders 
of the Black Republican party. The whole country, because 
of this conflict, is enveloped in gloom. Property, commerce, 
manufactures, and everything else were drooping, and the face 
of every man wore a gloom. But there had been no change 
in commerce, and all the elements of prosperity were still in 
the country. It had been announced that all the States must 
be free or slave, and that was the " irrepressible conflict.'' 
The people of the South would not give up their slaves, for if 
they did the beautiful cotton fields would soon become barren 
wastes. The first act of the Black Bepublican party will be 
to exclude slavery from all the Territories, the District, the 
arsenals and the forts, by the action of the general Government. 
That would be a recognition that slavery is a sin, and confine 
the institution to its present limits. The moment that slavery 
is pronounced a moral evil — a sin — by the general Government, 
that moment the safety of the rights of the South will be 
entirely gone. Another principle in which Maryland is inte- 
rested will be the abolition of the slave trade between the 
States, in the hope that the evil will become so great that the 
South will be obliged to abolish slavery in self-defense." 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



47 



This was tlie condition of things at the South. Now let us 
turn our attention a few moments to the North. The Secession 
of South Carolina had a depressing weight upon the Northern 
States, and though the State of South Carolina itself was not 
considered of much importance, the influence it would exercise 
on other States, in leading the way to a dissolution of the 
Union, was deeply felt. It was evident the slavery question, 
in connection with the depressed state of the Federal Govern- 
ment, brought about by the mismanagement of the two last 
Administrations, had brought this crisis upon the country. 
It was believed the South would show hostility to the Eepub- 
lican Administration ; but it was not supposed it would result 
in an absolute dismemberment of the Union. The people 
could not believe that when it came to the test, the South 
would so far forget itself and the blessings it had enjoyed in 
the Union, and under the protection of the Federal Grovern- 
ment, as to cut loose all connection without giving Mr. Lincoln 
a fair trial. It was believed that his conservative principles, 
and the fairness and impartiality with which he would admi- 
nister the Grovernment, would heal the dissensions, and prove 
to the Southern people that their rights and interests would be 
amply protected, and that they could live as well under a 
government administered by Republicans as if administered 
by any other party. But these hopes were disappointed, and 
then there was but one way left, and that was for the North 
to tender to their insulted and indignant brethren terms of 
peace. A great reaction in a few weeks had taken place in 
the North, and the slavery question, that had heretofore been 
discussed, argued and paraded with great show and pomp, 
had fallen under a ban, and was treated with disgust and 
contempt. 

By the 20th of December, 1860, this reaction had already 
commenced in Massachusetts. Wendell Phillips, a champion 



48 



A HISTORY OF THE 



of the ultra Anti-Slavery party, addressed a meeting at Water- 
town, in the above State, and was hissed — a demonstration 
of opposition unprecedented in that locality. Handbills were 
posted about the town, calling upon the people not to let him 
speak. This spirit spread rapidly, and the agitators of this 
dangerous question suddenly found themselves greatly depre- 
ciated. In Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and in fact from 
one end of the North to the other, there was a strong and 
determined effort to suppress any and all public demonstrations 
upon the subject. In some instances it was necessary to call 
in the aid of the authorities, and though they were generally 
Republicans in principle, they freely and quickly responded to 
the call. It seemed the people had just wakened to the danger 
that menaced them, and were determined to break its force if 
possible. 

Great hopes were entertained that Congress would pass 
some salutary'' measure that would heal the dissensions, and 
restore peace and harmony. There was a general feeling, that 
the Constitution of the United States should be so amended 
as to distinctly and emphatically settle the question of slavery, 
and drive it for ever from the arena of politics. Had 
the question at that time been submitted directly to the 
people, instead of being intrusted to bickering and squabbling 
politicians, there is but little doubt it would have been quickly 
settled. 

Immediately after the assembling of Congress, the impend- 
ing crisis was brought before the House of Representatives. 
A resolution was introduced and adopted, authorizing the 
Speaker to appoint a committee of one member from each 
State, to devise, if possible, some means to settle the difficul- 
ties. The resolution for the- committee was introduced on the 
4th of December, 1860, by Mr. Boteler, of Virginia, imme- 
diately after the President's message had been read. On the 
7th, the Speaker, announced the following committee : 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



49 



States, JVames. Politics, 

Alabama George S. Houston Democrat. 

Arkansas Albert Rust do 

Connecticut. . . .Orris S. Ferry Republican. 

California John C. Burch Democrat. 

Delaware William Gr. Whitley. ... do 

Florida Greorge S. Hawkins do 

Georgia Peter E. Love do 

Indiana Wm. N. Dunn Republican. 

Hlinois William Kellogg do 

Iowa Samuel R. Curtis.. ..... do 

Kentucky Francis M. Bristow Southern Opposition. 

Louisiana Miles Taylor Democrat. 

Massachusetts. .Chas. F. Adams Republican. 

Mississippi Reuben Davis Democrat. 

Maine Freeman H. Morse Republican. 

Michigan William A. Howard. ... do 

Missouri John S. Phelps Democrat. 

Maryland H. Winter Davis Southern Opposition. 

Minnesota William Windon Republican. 

New York James Humphrey do 

New Jersey. . . .John N. L. Stratton. ... do 

New Hampshire. Mason W. Tappan do 

North Carolina . Warren Winslow. ..... .Democrat. 

Ohio. Thomas Corwin Republican ( ch'man . ) 

Oregon Lansing Stout Democrat. 

Pennsylvania. ..Jas. H. Campbell Republican. 

Rhode Island. .Christopher Robinson. . . do 

South Carolina.. Wm. W. Boyce do 

Tennessee Thos. A. R. Nelson Southern Opposition. 

Texas A. J. Hamilton Democrat. 

Vermont Justin S. Morrill Republican. 

Virginia John S. Millson Democrat. 

Wisconsin Cad. C. Washburn Republican. 

The Speaker desired to say that the parliamentary usage 
was to name on the committee the nwver of the resolution 
under which the committee was ordered to be formed. He 
had omitted the name of Mr. Boteler at that gentleman's own 
request. He had endeavored to appoint the committee to the 
3 



50 



A HISTORY OF THE 



best of his judgment, and at the earliest period, in view of the 
important business with which the committee was intrusted. 

Mr. Hawkins, of Florida, declined to serve on the commit- 
tee, as he believed his State would secede, sin closing his 
remarks he said : 

" Even if compelled by the rules of the House, or the 
recognized customs of it, to serve on the committee, I shall 
be but a very unimportant member of it, and certainly not a 
very efficient one. I know that I cannot bring myself to con- 
sent to act with the majority of that committee. At all events, 
if I must serve, I will be obliged to act with the minority, and 
to have an independent report of our own. As the object of 
the committee is one of unanimity, of peace, and altogether a 
Union saving matter, I must say, as I have said before, that I 
am opposed to anything of that kind. That day is passed. 
The time of compromise, I repeat, has passed for ever." 

From the Tth to the 11th, the discussion on the motion to 
excuse Mr. Hawkins, occupied a large portion of the time of 
the House, and finally resulted in a refusal to excuse him. 
He then declared he would not serve on the committee. A 

" number of other Southern members also refused to serve, and 
on the 12th it was fully organized, and ready for business. 

The subject of the crisis occupied the attention of the Senate, 
but did not seem to obtain much form, until the 13th, when 
Mr. Johnson, of Tennessee, introduced the following resolu- 

. tions : 

Whereas, The fifth article of the Constitution of the United 
States provides for amendments thereto ; therefore be it 

Resolved, That the Senate and House of Representatives of 
the United States of America in Congress assembled, two- 
thirds of both Houses concurring, that the following amend- 
ments to the Constitution of the United States be proposed to 
the Legislatures of the several States, which, when ratified 
by the Legislatures of three-fourths of the States, shall be 
valid to all intents and purposes as a part of the Constitution : 

That hereafter the President and Vice-President of the 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



51 



United States shall be chosen by the people of the respective 
States in the following manner : 

Each State shall be divided by the Legislature thereof into 
districts, eqnal in number to the whole number of Senators 
and Representatives to which each State may be entitled in 
the Congress of the United States, the said districts to be 
composed of contiguous territory, and to contain, as near as 
may be, an equal number of persons entitled to be represented 
under the Constitution, and to be laid otF for the first time 
immediately after the ratification of this amendment, and after- 
wards at the session of the Legislature next ensuing the appor- 
tionment of the representatives by the Congress of the United 
States ; that on the first Thursday in August of the year 1864, 
and on the same day every fourth year thereafter, the citizens 
of each State who possess the qualifications requisite for electors 
of the most numerous branch of the State Legislatures, shall 
meet within their respective districts, and vote for a President 
and Vice-President of the United States : and the person 
receiving the greatest number of votes for President, and the 
one receiving the greatest number of votes for Vice-President, 
in each district, shall be holden to have received one vote, 
which fact shall be immediately certified by the Grovernor of 
the State, and to each of the Senators in Congress from such 
State, and to the President of the Senate and Speaker of the 
House of llepresentatives. The Congress of the United States 
shall be in session on the second Monday in October, in the 
year 1864, and on the same day every fourth year thereafter ; 
and the President of the Senate, in the presence of the Senate 
and House of Representatives, shall open all the certificates, 
and the votes shall be counted. The person having the 
greatest number of votes for President shall be President, if 
such number of votes be equal to a majority of the whole num- 
ber of votes given : but if no person have such majority, then 
a second election shall be held on the first Thursday of the 
month of December then next ensuing, between the persons 
having the two highest numbers for the ofiice of President, 
which second election shall be conducted, the result certified 
and the votes counted in the same manner as the first, and the 
person having the greatest number of votes shall be President ; 
but if two or more persons shall have received the greatest 
number of votes, the one receiving the greatest number of votes 



62 



A HISTORY OF THE 



in the greatest number of States shall be President. The 
person having the greatest number of votes for Vice-President 
at the first election shall be Vice-President, if such number 
be equal to a majority of the whole number of votes given ; 
and if no person have such majority, then a second election shall 
take place between the persons having the two highest numbers 
on the same day that the second election is held for President, 
and the person having the highest number of votes for Vice- 
President shall be Vice-President : but if there should happen 
to be an equality of votes between the persons so voted for at 
the second election, then the person having the greatest num- 
ber of votes in the greatest number of States, shall be Vice- 
President : but when the second election shall be necessary in 
the case of Vice-President, and not necessary in case of Presi- 
dent, then the Senate shall choose a Vice-President from the 
persons having the two highest numbers at the first election, 
as is now prescribed in the Constitution, provided that the 
President to be elected in the year 1864, shall be chosen from 
one of the slaveholding States, and the Vice-President from 
one of the non-slaveholding States, and in the year 1868 the 
President shall be chosen from one of the non-slaveholding States, 
and so alternately the President and Vice-President every four 
years between the slaveholding and non-slaveholding States, 
during the continuance of the government. 

Sect. 2. And be it further Resolved., That Article I., Sect. 
3, be amended by striking out the word " Legislature," and 
inserting in lieu thereof the following words, viz : " Persons 
qualified to vote for members of the most numerous branch of 
the Legislature," so as to make the third section of said arti- 
cle, when ratified by three-fourths of the States, read as follows, 
to wit : The Senate of the United States shall be composed of 
two Senators from each State, chosen by persons who are qua- 
lified to vote for the members of the most numerous branch of 
the Legislature ; their term shall be for six years, and each 
Senator shall have one vote. 

Sect. 4. And he it further Resolved, That Article III., 
Section 1, be amended by striking out the words " good be- 
havior," and inserting the following words, viz : " the term of 
twelve years and further, that said article and section be 
amended by adding the following thereto, " and it shall be 
the duty of the President of the United States, within twelve 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



53 



months after the ratification of this amendment by three- 
fourths of all the States, as provided by the Constitution of 
the United States, to divide the whole number of judges, as 
near as may be practicable, into three classes." The seats of 
the judges of the first class shall be vacated at the expiration 
of the fourth year from such classification ; of the second class, 
at the expiration of the eighth year ; and of the third class, at 
the expiration of the twelfth year : so that one-third may be 
chosen every fourth year thereafter. 

The Article, as amended, will read as follows : — 
Article III., Section 1. The judicial power of the United 
States shall be vested in one Supreme Court, and in such 
inferior courts as Congress from time to time may ordain and 
establish. The Judges, both of the Supreme and inferior 
courts, shall hold their offices during the term of twelve years, 
and shall, at stated times, receive for their services a compen- 
sation which shall not be diminished during their continuance 
in office. And it shall be the duty of the President of the 
United States, within twelve months after the ratification of 
the amendment by three-fourths of all the States, as provided 
by the Constitution of the United States, to divide the whole 
number of judges, as near as may be practicable, into three 
classes. The seats of the judges of the first class shall be 
vacated at the expiration of the fourth year from such classifi- 
cation ; of the second class, at the expiration of the eighth 
year ; and of the third class, at the expiration of the twelfth 
year ; so that one-third may be chosen every fourth year there- 
after : Provided^ however, that all vacancies occurring under 
the provisions of this Section, shall be filled by persons, one- 
half of whom shall be chosen from the slaveholding States, and 
the other half with persons chosen from the non-slaveholding 
States, so that the Supreme Court will be equally divided be- 
tween the slaveholding and non-slayeholding States. 

These resolutions were received with favor by the people, 
and seemed to be the healing balm that was to be applied to 
our wounded country. They lay, however, in a dormant con- 
dition, while other matters appeared to attract the attention 
of the Senate. 



54 



A HISTORY OF THE 



On the 18th, Mr. Crittenden, of Kentucky, offered the fol- 
^ lowing resolutions : — 

Whereas, Alarming dissensions have arisen between the 
Northern and Southern States as to the rights of the common 
territory of the United States, and it is eminently desirous 
and proper that the dissensions be settled b}^ the constitutional 
provisions which give equal justice to all sections, and thereby 
restore peace ; therefore, 

Resolved, That by the Senate and House of Representatives, 
the following Article be proposed and submitted as an amend- 
ment to the Constitution, which shall be valid as part of the 
Constitution, when ratified by the Conventions of three-fourths 
of the people of the States : — 

First. In all the Territores now or hereafter acquired north 
of latitude thirty-six degrees thirty minutes, slavery, or invo- 
luntary servitude, except for the punishment for crime, is pro- 
hibited ; while in all the Territory south of that latitude 
slavery is hereby recognized as existing, and shall not be in- 
terfered with by Congress, but shall be protected as property 
by all departments of the Territorial Government during its 
continuance. All the Territory north or south of said line, 
within such boundaries as Congress may prescribe, when it 
contains a population necessary for a member of Congress, with 
a republican form of government, shall be admitted into the 
Union on an equality with the original States, with or without 
slavery, as the Constitution of the State shall prescribe. 

Second. Congress shall have no power to abolish slavery in 
the States permitting slaver}^ 

Third. Congress shall have no power to abolish slavery in 
the District of Columbia while it exists in Virginia and Mary- 
land, or either ; nor shall Congress at any time prohibit the 
officers of -the Grovernment or members of Congress, whose 
duties require them to live in the District of Columbia, bring- 
ing slaves there, and holding them as such. 

Fourth. Congress shall have no power to hinder the trans- 
portation of slaves from one State to another, whether by land, 
navigable rivers, or sea. 

Fifth. Congress shall have power by law to pay an owner 
who shall apply, the full value for a fugitive slave, in all cases 
when the Marshal is prevented from discharging his duty by 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



55 



force or rescue, made after arrest. In all such cases the owner 
sliall have power to sue the county in which the violence or 
rescue was made, and the county shall have the right to sue 
the individuals who committed the wrong, in the same manner 
as the owner could sue. 

Sixth. No future amendment or amendments shall affect 
the preceding articles, and Congress shall never have power to 
interfere with slavery in the States where it is now permitted. 

I\Tr. Crittenden believed that his resolutions would practi- 
cally establish the Missouri Compromise, and drive for ever 
from Congress the question of slavery ; that it would esta- 
blish peace, and again unite the country in strong bonds of 
Union. His appeals in favor of his country were touching, 
and moved many who heard him in this trying crisis, to tears. 
But his efforts were unavailing. The tide of secession had set 
too strongly in, and all the eloquence and influence of this 
honored and respected statesman could not, for a single 
moment, arrest its progress. 

Congress had set itself to work in earnest upon the momen- 
tous question ; but there seemed to be an opposition and de- 
termination against any measure likely to produce a compro- 
mise. This opposition principally originated with the Southern 
members, who were determined to tear the Union to pieces at 
all hazards. Our Northern members were not in all cases as 
forbearing and gentle as they might have been, and in many 
instances, by thoughtless acts and harsh words, cut deeper the 
wounds that were already deep enough. 



66 



A HISTORY OF THE 



CHAPTER IV. 

PRESIDENT Buchanan's position. 

When Congress assembled on the 3d of December, 1860, 
the attention of the whole nation, from one extreme to the 
other, was turned upon the President and the Cabinet, won- 
dering what position they would take in regard to the existing 
troubles. The President's Message was waited for in almost 
breathless silence, and it was frequently conjectured that it 
would favor the South. It was not for a moment supposed 
that Mr. Buchanan would assume a hostile and determined 
position toward the South, and by force attempt to prevent the 
secession of any one State. At this time South Carolina occu- 
pied but a threatening attitude that was portentous of a 
speedy secession, and a determined withdrawal from the Fede- 
ral Union. The people generally believed that the President 
would vascillate, and, if possible, shirk the responsible ques- 
tion that was fast coming upon the Administration. 

As soon as Congress was organized, the President's Mes- 
sage was submitted to that body, and simultaneously was tele- 
graphed from one end of the United States to the other. In 
the North it was not received as a firm and determined docu- 
ment, while in the South it was received partially with con- 
tempt, and in some places regarded as rather menacing. It 
failed, however, to give satisfaction, and was considered as not 
meeting the important issue fairly. 

After speaking of the general health and prosperity of the 
country, the President begins, and sums up, as far as possible, 
the causes which led to the pending difficulties. He speaks 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



57 



of the circulation of liandbills and circulars throughout the 
South by citizens of the North, and agitating the Slavery 
question for the last five and twenty years. He says : — 

" This agitation has ever since been continued by the public 
press, by the proceedings of State and County conventions, 
and by abolition sermons and lectures. The time of Congress 
has been occupied in violent speeches on this never-ending 
subject ; and appeals in pamphlet and other forms, endorsed by 
distinguished names, have been sent forth from this central 
point, and spread broadcast over the Union. 

How easy would it be for the American people to settle 
the slavery question for ever, and to restore peace and har- 
mony to this distracted country ! They, and they alone can 
do it. All that is necessary to accomplish the object, and all 
for which the Slave States have ever contended, is to be let 
alone, and permitted to manage their domestic institutions in 
their own way. As sovereign States, they, and they alone, 
are responsible before God and the world for the slavery exist- 
ing among them. For this the people of the North are not 
more responsible, and have no more right to interfere, than 
with similar institutions in Russia or in Brazil. Upon their 
good sense and patriotic forbearance I confess I still greatly rely. 
Without their aid, it is beyond the power of any President, no 
matter what may be his own political proclivities, to restore 
peace and harmony among the States. Wisely limited and 
restrained as is his power, under our Constitution and laws, he 
alone can accomplish but little, for good or for evil, on such a 
momentous question." 

He then takes the ground, that the election of a President 
by the people does not justify secession or revolution, and 
more especially when that election has been conducted accord- 
ing to the strictest forms of law. 

The question of carrying slaves into the Territories is met 
in the following language : — 

"It is alleged, as one cause for immediate secession, that 
the Southern States are denied equal rights with the other 
States in the common Territories. But by what authority are 



58 



A HISTORY OF THE 



these denied? Not by Congress, which has never passed, and 
I believe never will pass, any act to exclude slavery from these 
Territories, and certainly not by the Supreme Court, which 
has solemnly decided that slaves are property, and, like all 
other property, their owners have a right to take them into 
the common Territories, and hold them there under the pro- 
tection of the Constitution. 

" So far, then, as Congress is concerned, the objection is 
not to anything they have already done, but to what they may 
do hereafter. It will surely be admitted that tbis apprehen- 
sion of future danger is no good reason for an immediate dis- 
solution of the Union. It is true that the Territorial Legisla- 
ture of Kansas, on the 23d of February, 1860, passed m great 
haste an act, over the veto of the Governor, declaring that 
slavery 'is, and shall be, for ever prohibited in this Territory.' 
Such an act, however, plainly violating the rights of property 
secured by the Constitution, will surely be declared void by 
the judiciary, whenever it shall be presented in a legal form.'' 

After reviewing the rights of the people in the Territories, 
he treats upon the Fugitive Slave Law, and the enactments of 
the different States in regard to it. It is assumed that the 
enactments of those States, where they conflict with the law, 
are in violation of the Federal Constitution, and are, there- 
fore, null and void. The constitutionality of the Fugitive 
Slave Law has been affirmed by all the tribunals before whicli 
it has come, with the exception of Wisconsin, and that has 
been reversed. It has been the law of the land from the days 
of Washington until the present moment. He continues : — 

"Here, then, a clear case is presented, in which it will be 
the duty of the next President, as it has been my own, to act 
with vigor in executing this supreme law against the conflict- 
ing enactments of State Legislatures. Should he fail in the 
performance of this high duty, he will then have manifested a 
disregard of the Constitution and laws, to the great injury of 
the people of nearly one-half of the States of the Union. But 
are we to presume, in advance, that he will thus violate his 
duty ? This would be at war with every principle of justice 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



59 



and of Christian charity. Let us wait for the overt act. The 
Fugitive Slave Law has been carried into execution in every 
contested case since the commencement of the present adminis- 
tration, though often, it is to be regretted, with great loss and 
inconvenience to the master, and with considerable expense to 
the government. Let us trust that the State Legislatures will 
repeal their unconstitutional and obnoxious enactments. Un- 
less this shall be done without unnecessary delay, it is impos- 
sible for any human power to save the Union. 

" The Southern States, standing on the basis of the Consti- 
tution, have a right to demand this act of justice from the 
States of the North. Should it be refused, then the Consti- 
tution, to which all the States are parties, will have been wil- 
fully violated by one portion of them in a provision essential 
to the domestic security and happiness of the remainder. In 
that event, the injured States, after having first used all 
peaceful and constitutional means to obtain redress, would be 
justified in revolutionary resistance to the government of the 
Union." 

The right of secession is reviewed, and the President fol- 
lows the subject out at considerable length, denying that one 
State or States can legally and constitutionally secede from the 
Federal Union. 

" In short," he says, " the government created by the Con- 
stitution, and deriving its authority from the sovereign people 
of each of the several States, has precisely the same right to 
exercise its power over the people of all these States, in the 
enumerated cases, that each one of them possesses over sub- 
jects not delegated to the United States, but « reserved to the 
States respectively, or to the people.' 

" To the extent of the delegated powers the Constitution of 
the United States is as much a part of the Constitution of each 
State, and is as binding upon its people, as though it had been 
textually inserted therein. * * * * 

" But they did not fear, nor had they any reason to imagine, 
that the Constitution would ever be so interpreted as to enable 
any State, by her own act, and without the consent of her 
sister States, to discharge her people from all or any of their 
federal obligations." 



A HISTORY OF THE 



Having advanced the probable difficulties that might arise 
fn the collection of the revenues and the administration of the 
Federal laws in the Southern States, he acknowledges the ina- 
bility of the President to enforce the laws in a State where 
there are no Federal officers, and takes the ground that it 
would require additional legislation to empower the Chief 
Magistrate to use force to compel obedience to them. Resting 
here upon the theory that emergencies may soon arise requir- 
ing the force of arms, he advances the following opinion : — 

"The question fairly stated is: Has the Constitution dele- 
gated to Congress the power to coerce a State into submission 
which is attempting to withdraw, or has actually withdrawn, 
from the Confederacy? If answered in the affirmative, it 
must be on the principle that the power has been conferred 
upon Congress to declare and to make war against a State. 
After much serious reflection, I have arrived at the conclusion 
that no such power has been delegated to Congress, or to any 
other department of the Federal Grovernment. It is manifest, 
upon an inspection of the Constitution, that this is not among 
the specific and enumerated powers granted to Congress ; and 
it is equally apparent that its exercise is not ' necessary and 
proper for carrying into execution' any one of these powers. 
So far from this power having been delegated to Congress, it 
was expressly refused by the Convention which framed the 
Constitution. ***** 

Without descending to particulars, it may be safely as- 
serted that the power to make war against a State is at variance 
with the whole spirit and intent of the Constitution." 

In following out the argument, he concludes that the slavery 
question had reached and passed its culminating point ; and 
if, in the midst of the existing trouble, the Union should 
perish, the damage would be irreparable. 

The whole responsibility is thrown upon Congress, and the 
President asserts that that body can do much to heal the dis- 
sensions. In view of that declaration, he advances the three 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 61 

following propositions, for the consideration of that law- 
making power : 

"1. An express recognition of the right . of property in 
slaves in the States where it now exists or may hereafter 
exist. 

" 2. The duty of protecting this right in all the common 
Territories throughout their territorial existence, and until 
they shall be admitted as States into the Union, with or with- 
out slavery, as their constitutions may prescribe. 

" 3. A like recognition of the right of the master to have 
his slave, who has escaped from one State to another, restored 
and ' delivered up ^ to him, and of the validity of the Fugitive 
Slave Law enacted for this purpose, together with a declara- 
tion that all State laws impairing or defeating this right, are 
violations of the Constitution, and are consequently null and 
void." 

Acting upon the recommendation of the Chief Magistrate, 
Congress appointed the Committee of Thirty-three in the 
House, and a similar committee in the Senate, 

In a very short time, the President's Message was lost 
beneath the accumulating difficulties, and the people turned 
from the ruling power to Congress, to give a check to the 
spreading evil. Though the burden of meeting the manifold 
troubles was thrown from the shoulders of the Administration 
upon Congress, yet there were points the President could not 
escape. 

It was becoming palpable that the property of fhe Govern- 
ment would be seized by seceding States, and claimed as their 
own ; or, at least, held by them until the Federal Government 
would negotiate for their delivery to those States. Fearful 
of assuming any hostile attitude toward the South, by sending 
reinforcements to weak points to protect them, he appealed to 
the Attorney General for advice, and his opinion of the law. 
We make the following extracts from that opinion : 
"Your right to take such measures as may seem to be 



62 



A HISTORY OF THE 



necessary for the protection of the public property, is very clear. 
It results from the proprietary rights of the Government as 
owner of the forts, arsenals, magazines, dock yards, navy 
yards, custom houses, public ships, and other property which 
the United States have bought, built, and paid for. Besides, 
the Government of the United States is authorized by the 
Constitution (Art. L, Sec. 8,) « to exercise exclusive legislation 
in all cases whatsoever * * over all places purchased by 
the consent of the Legislature of the State in which the same 
shall be, for the erection of forts, magazines, arsenals, dock 
yards, and other needful buildings.' It is believed that no 
important public building has been bought or erected on 
ground where the Legislature of the State in which it is, has 
not passed a law consenting to the purchase of it, and ceding 
the exclusive jurisdiction. This Government, then, is not 
only the owner of those buildings and grounds, but, by virtue 
of the supreme and paramount law, it regulates the action and 
punishes the offences of all who are within them. If any one 
of an owner's rights is plainer than another, it is that of keep- 
ing exclusive possession and repelling intrusion. The right 
of defending the public property includes also the right of 
recapture after it has been unlawfully taken by another. Pre- 
sident Jefferson held the opinion, and acted upon it, that he 
could order a military force to take possession of any land to 
which the United States had title, though they had never 
occupied it before ; though a private party claimed and held 
it, and though it was not then needed nor proposed to be used 
for any purpose connected with the operations of the Govern- 
ment. This may have been a stretch of Executive power ; 
but the right of retaking public property in which the Govern- 
ment has been carrying on its lawful business, and from which 
its officers have been unlawfully thrust out, cannot well be 
doubted ; and when it was exercised at Harper's Ferry, in 
October, 1859, every one acknowledged the legal justice of it. 

" I come now to the point in your letter which is probably 
of the greatest practical importance. By the act of 1807, you 
may employ such parts of the land and naval forces as you 
shall judge necessary, for the purpose of causing the laws to 
be duly executed, in all cases where it is lawful to use the 
militia for the same purpose. By the act of 1795, the militia 
may be called forth ' whenever the laws of the United States 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 63 

shall be opposed, or the execution thereof obstructed in any 
State, by combinations too powerful to be suppressed by the 
ordinary course of judicial proceedings, or by the power vested 
in the Marshals.' This imposes upon the President the sole 
responsibility of deciding whether the exigency has arisen 
which requires the use of military force ; and in proportion to 
the magnitude of that responsibility will be his care not to 
overstep the limits of his legal and just authority. 

" Whether Congress has the constitutional right to make 
war against one or more States, and require the Executive of 
the Federal Glovernment to carry it on by means of force to 
be drawn from the other States, is a question for Congress 
itself to consider. It must be admitted that no such power 
is expressly given ; nor are there any words in the Constitu- 
tion which imply it. Among the powers enumerated in Arti- 
cle I., Section 8, is that ' to declare war, grant letters of 
marque and reprisal, and to make rules concerning captures 
on land and water.' This certainly means nothing more than 
the power to commence and carry on hostilities against the 
foreign enemies of the nation. Another clause in the same 
section gives Congress the power ' to provide for calling forth 
the militia,' and to use them within the limits of the State, 
But this power is so restricted by the words which immediately 
follow, that it can be exercised only for one of the following 
purposes : — 

1. To execute the laws of the Union ; that is, to aid the 
Federal officers in the performance of their regular duties. 

2. To suppress insurrections against the States ; but this is 
confined, by Article IV., Section 4, to cases in which the State 
herself shall apply for assistance against her own people. 

3. To repel the invasion of a State by enemies who come 
from abroad to assail her in her own territory. All these pro- 
visions are made to protect the States, not to authorize an 
attack by one part of the country upon another ; to preserve 
their peace, and not to plunge them into civil war. Our fore- 
fathers do not seem to have thought that war was calculated 
* to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domes- 
tic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the 
general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to our- 
selves and our posterity.' There was, undoubtedly, a strong 
and universal conviction among the men who framed and rati- 



64 



A HISTORY OF THE 



fied the Constitution that military force would not only be 
useless, but pernicious as a means of holding the States toge- 
ther. 

" If it be true that war cannot be declared, nor a system of 
general hostilities carried on by the Central Government against 
a State, then it seems to follow that an attempt to do so would 
be ipse facto an expulsion of that State from the Union. 
Being treated as an alien and an enemy, she would be com- 
pelled to act accordingly. And if Congress shall break up 
the present Union by unconstitutionally putting strife and 
enmity and armed hostility between different sections of the 
country, instead of ' domestic tranquility,' which the Constitu- 
tion was meant to insure, will not all the States be absolved 
from their federal obligations ? Is any portion of the people 
bound to contribute their money or their -blood to carry on a 
contest like that 1 

" The right of the G-eneral Grovernment to preserve itself 
in its whole constitutional vigor by repelling a direct and posi- 
tive aggression upon its property or its officers, cannot be 
denied. But this is a totally different thing from an offensive 
war to punish the people for the political misdeeds of their 
State Grovernment, or to prevent a threatened violation of the 
Constitution, or to enforce an acknowledgment that the Gov- 
ernment of the United States is supreme. The States are col- 
leagues of one another, and if some of them shall conquer the 
rest, and hold them as subjugated provinces, it would totally 
destroy the whole theory upon which they are now con- 
nected. 

If this view of the subject be as correct as I think it is, 
then the Union must utterly perish at the moment when Con- 
gress shall arm one part of the people against another for any 
purpose beyond that of merely protecting the General Govern- 
ment in the exercise of its proper constitutional functions. 
" I am, very respectfully, yours, &c., 

" J. S. Black. 

" To the President of the United States 

This opinion was given the President about the 20th of 
of November, 1860, but was not made public until about the 
9th of December. Notwithstandiilg the plain and explicit 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



65 



character of the opinion, its advice was not followed bj the 
Administration. It was well known that all the forts in the 
Southern States were in a weak and defenceless condition, but 
no efforts were made to strengthen them. It was equally evi- 
dent that South Carolina would secede, and as her whole atti- 
tude had been menacing, it was considered by the people but 
just that it should be properly met. They had lost all faith 
and confidence in the Administration, and considered it abso- 
lutely unequal to the emergency. They were willing that 
powers should be assumed by the Executive to meet the 
extraordinary condition of things ; and if not lawful and legal 
at the moment, they stood ready to make them so. 

The trouble now extended to the Cabinet, and about the 
10th of Pecember, Howell Cobb, of Georgia, resigned his 
position as Secretary of the Treasury, and returned to his 
State, to take part in the secession movement. Isaac Toucy, 
Secretary of the Navy, was appointed Secretary of the Trea- 
sury, ad interim, and, on the 12th, Philip F. Thomas, of 
Maryland, was appointed and confirmed by the Senate, and 
entered upon the discharge of his duties. 

About the 14th, General Cass, Secretary of State, tendered 
his resignation to the President, and it was accepted. The 
disagreement occurred upon the question of sending reinforce- 
ments to the forts in Charleston harbor. General Cass was 
in favor of strengthening these positions in every possible 
manner ; while the President opposed it, imagining it would 
have the efi"ect of precipitating the country into civil war. 
Attorney General Black was appointed to the vacant Secre- 
taryship, ad interim, and was afterwards nominated to the 
Senate, confirmed, and entered upon his duties as Secretary 
of State. 



66 



A HISTORY OF THE 



CHAPTER Y. 

MAJOR ANDERSON EVACUATES FORT MOULTRIE. 

The secession of South Carolina had taken the North by 
surprise, and for a short time there was little else than con- 
fused conjectuies regarding the result of this peculiar proceed- 
ing. All eyes were turned upon the President, anxiously 
watching what move he would make to meet the catastrophe. 
But suddenly there burst upon the people a circumstance more 
startling and thrilling than the announcement that half the 
States had seceded could have created. 

On the 18th of November, Major Robert Anderson, of the 
First Artillery Regiment of the regular army, was ordered to 
the command of Fort Moultrie, in Charleston harbor, to 
relieve Col. G-ardner, who was ordered to Texas. Major 
Anderson was known to the War Department to be a brave 
and capable officer, and being a native of Kentucky, it was 
undoubtedly presumed by the Secretary of War, who was 
strongly in the interests of the Secessionists, that his sympa- 
thy would be with the South, and that immediately upon the 
successful secession of South Carolina, a demand being made, 
he would at once surrender to the State the forts under his 
command. But the wily and scheming Secretary of War 
had reckoned too widel}^, and subsequently found that the 
loyalty of Kentucky's brave son was like herself, too deep- 
rooted to be moved by the hollow cry of Secession. 

At the time Major Anderson took command of the forts, 
there were stationed in them about one hundred soldiers, of 
the regular army. This little band was commanded by the 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



67 



following officers : — Major Robert Anderson, 1st Regiment 
Artillery, commanding officer ; Assistant Surgeon, S. W. Craw- 
ford, Medical Stafi'; Capt. Abner Doubleday, commanding 
Company E ; Lieut. Theodore Talbot, Lieut. Jefferson 0. 
Davis, Lieut. Norman J. Hall, Adjutant and Quartermaster ; 
Engineer Corps, Capt. J. Gr. Foster ; Corps of Engineers in 
charge of Castle Pinckney and Fort Sumter, Lieuts. Gr. W. 
Snyder and Richard K. Meade, Assistants. 

Workmen or laborers were employed in repairing the forts, 
to the number of about one hundred. It was conjectured, from 
time to time, whether the commanding officer would employ 
these men in case of an attack, but before the time it was 
necessary to require their services they were discharged. 

The fortifications of Charleston harbor, consist of Fort 
Moultrie, Castle Pinckney, Fort Johnson, and Fort Sumter. 
Fort Moultrie is situated on a point of Moultrie Island, on the 
left hand side of the channel going out, and running into the 
mouth of the harbor, so as to perfectly command the channel, 
and within one-half mile of Fort Sumter, and bringing the 
latter fort under the command of its guns. Had it been 
completed, and in perfect order, with its guns all mounted 
and the place well garrisoned, it would have been impregnable. 
Fort Johnson is situated upon a point of James Island, at the 
left hand side of the channel, one and one-third miles from 
Fort Sumter. It was a place of minor importance, and 
attracted but little attention. Castle Pinckney is built on 
one corner of Shute's Folly Island, and is two and five-eighths 
miles from Fort Sumter, and near the City of Charleston. 
One-half mile from Fort Sumter, and running out almost in 
front of it, and commanding the channel, is a point of land 
known as Cummings' Point. 

Fort Sumter is situated in almost a direct line between 
Forts Moultrie and Johnson, and is within easy range of their 
guns. 



68 



A HISTORY OF THE 



The pla,n of the fort is a truncated pentagon, with one side 
parallel to the adjoining shore, thus presenting an angle to 
the channel. Of the truncated angles, the eastern, western, 
and northern are simply formed into Pan-cmptes,, while the 
other two are formed of two small faces, making an angle of 
about fifteen degrees with the sides of the pentagon. At each 
intersection of the small faces is a sally-port. The height of 
the parapet above the water-line is sixty feet. On the eastern 
and western sides are the barracks for the privates, mess-hail, 
kitchen, &c. On the southern side are the officers' quarters, 
which are finished in very handsome style. 

The fort is mounted with the heaviest guns of the United 
States service, arranged in three tiers, the two lower being 
casemates, and the upper barbette guns. The casemate guns 
are those which are fired from an embrasure in the scarp walls, 
and are protected from the enemy's shells by an arched bomb- 
proof covering overhead ; the barbette, those which fire over 
the parapet, which exposes the cannoniers to the fire of the 
enemy, although, in this instance, the height of the ramparts 
is so great that there is comparatively no danger from the shot 
of an enemy's fleet. The armament consists of 140 pieces, 
placed in the following order : — The heaviest guns, such as 
the 32 and 64-pounders, on the first tier ; 24 and 32-pounders 
on the second tierj Columbiads (8 and 10 inch) and heavy 
sea-coast mortars on the top of the ramparts. 

The heaviest pieces are turned towards the harbor, the 
lighter towards the land side ; which side is further protected 
by musketry, for which loop-holes are cut in the scarp wall. 
The number of each kind of gun is about thirty 64-pounders ; 
the same number of 32-pounders : forty 24-pounders ; ten of 
each calibre of Columbiad ; ten 13-inch, and ten 10-inch 
mortars, capable of throwing about four thousand (4000) 
pounds of shot, and four thousand three hundred (4300) 
pounds of shell at each discharge. 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



69 



On the terra-parade plain are situated two furnaces for 
heating shot. The magazines are situated on the inner sides 
of the sally-ports. The landing to the fort is on the southern, 
or land side, and is formed by a wharf projecting toward the 
shore, and also extending the length of that face. 

The fort is abundantly supplied with fresh water from a 
well sunk at a great depth. 

Major Anderson pushed forward the repairs on Fort Moul- 
trie as rapidly as possible, so as to protect his little command 
from the vengeance he knew his loyalty would bring upon them 
from the State of South Carolina. His industry was fre- 
quently complained of by the Charleston papers, and the 
Grovernment charged to order the repairs to cease, or the State 
would construe those acts as hostile and threatening. The 
work, however, continued until about the 2f)th of December, 
when the laborers were discharged. 

The gallant commander of Fort Moultrie saw the storm of 
secession gathering thick and fast, and threatening every 
moment to burst upon the country in a wild, fearful torrent 
of ruin. In the North it was known that Major Anderson 
was by birth a Southern man, and his movements were watched 
with the greatest interest. What course would he pursue, if 
the State of South Carolina should secede and demand the 
surrender of the forts. 

When it became inevitably fixed that South Carolina had 
seceded, Major Anderson watched for an auspicious moment, 
when he could transfer his little command to the more strong 
and secure position afforded by Fort Sumter. A constant 
watch was kept upon his movements, day and night, by officers 
about Charleston, to give the alarm should it be attempted, 
and, if possible, prevent it. They scarcely believed, how- 
ever, that the Major would transfer his command upon his 
own responsibility, and knowing they possessed a faithful ally 



70 



A HISTORY OF THE 



in the Secretary of War, who, if orders were issued to occupy 
Fort Sumter, would instantly communicate it to the authori- 
ties of South Carolina, and the fort would be occupied by 
State troops before the order from the War Department could 
reach Major Anderson. 

On the evening of December 25th, when all Charleston was 
occupied in holiday feasts, pleasures, and pastimes, talking of 
secession, and drinking the health of the Palmetto Nation, 
born but a few days before. Major Anderson was quietly 
transferring his troops from Fort Moultrie to Fort Sumter. So 
secret had he kept his intention of occupying Fort Sumter, 
that the troops were not aware of their destination, when 
embarked in two schooners that lay in waiting for them. 
Their voyage was but a half mile, when they debarked under 
the walls of Sumter. The guns in Fort Moultrie were dis- 
mounted, and the carriages destroyed. In fact, everything 
quickly destructible was destroyed, and the fort, when first 
visited after its evacuation, presented a mass of ruins, por- 
tions of which were still burning. 

When the morning of the 26th shone bright and clear upon 
the harbor of Charleston, the people were astounded to behold 
the Federal flag waving over Fort Sumter. Instantly it 
flashed through the community, that Major Anderson had 
occupied the Fort, and as quickly it flashed from one end of 
the Union to the other. Throughout the North it startled 
the people, and took them by surprise, for they had not looked 
to the humble occupants of the forts in Charleston harbor to 
make the first strategical movement in favor of the Union. 
It sent a thrill of joy through the hearts of loyal men ; and 
the name of Major Anderson, and the story of his noble deed, 
was the theme and the topic every where. Though the act 
was in a military sense of minor importance, to the cause of 
the Union it was one of magnitude, and had a powerful influ- 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 71 

ence. The people had looked to the Administration to meet 
firmly the coming storm, but when they found it weak and 
frail, and bending to its oppressors, they turned, almost sick- 
ening, away. The thrilling intelligence from the midst of 
Secessia, robbed the dark clouds of half their terror, and 
proved that there were loyal hearts and strong arms to strike 
for the Union, 

Throughout the South the most intense excitement pre- 
vailed, and South Carolina rose in all her majesty and dignity, 
and demanded the immediate return of Major Anderson and 
the troops to Fort Moultrie. Mr. Floyd, the Secretary of 
War, insisted that the Grovernment had pledged itself that the 
status of the troops at Charleston should not be changed. 
This pledge he contended had been violated, for it was not 
imagined that Major Anderson had the courage to change the 
position of his command without the authority of his superior 
olhcer. But Major Anderson was loyal to his Government, 
and a good soldier, and seeing clearly the perilous position of 
his little command, he provided the best means at hand for its 
safety. 

Immediately upon the reception of the news in Washington, 
that Major Anderson had occupied Fort Sumter, the Cabinet 
was called together. The members who favored the South, 
and backed by the Commissioners from South Carolina, 
demanded that the Major should be ordered back to Fort 
Moultrie. If the demand was not complied with, the refusal 
would be taken as a declaration of war, and hostilities would 
quickly follow. The President denied all previous knowledge 
of the movement, and seemed to waver under the pressure 
brought to bear against him. To appease the South, the 
order must be given — to satisfy the North, the Major must be 
sustained. For three days the matter occupied the attention 
of the Cabinet. Staunton, Black and Holt sustained Major 



72 



A HISTORY OF THE 



Anderson, and opposed his being ordered back to Fort Moul- 
trie. On the 29th of December, a vote was taken. Messrs. 
Thompson, Thomas and Flojd, voting in the affirmative, and 
Messrs. Holt, Black, Staunton and Toucey, voting in the nega- 
tive. Quickly following this decision, Mr. Floyd resigned the 
office of Secretary of War, and returned to Virginia. The 
conduct of Major Anderson was sustained, and the people felt 
that with the resignation of Mr. Floyd the Government was 
relieved of a great incubus. 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



73 



CHAPTER VI. 

SEIZURE OF THE FORTS AND ARSENAL AT CHARLESTON. 

On the 26th of December, the Palmetto Nation adopted an 
emblem, whereby it should in all future ages be recognized 
as a sovereign and independent Nation. 

The flag is a red ground, divided from end to end by a 
broad stripe of blue, and crossed in the centre by a similar 
stripe, leaving the four corners red. Upon the blue ground 
are fifteen white stars, a large one at the intersection of the 
blue stripes. In the upper right-hand corner a palmetto tree, 
and to the . right of it a crescent. The flag is not beautiful, 
nor does it seem to partake or have about it that appearance 
of civilization which has generally characterized the produc- 
tions of modern days. It seems to have been formed more 
after the fashion of the banners of the Middle Ages, when 
they bore upon their very face the brazen expression of oppres- 
sion and bloody conquest. This emblem of nationality was 
supposed to be the centre around which the Southern States 
would cluster with the most heartfelt enthusiasm, and bless 
the mind as inspired that conceived the plan, and canonize the 
man who .gave shape to a banner that was to lead the people 
of the South from oppression and tyranny, and their armies to 
conquest and glory. 

At this time the Revenue Cutter Aiken, belonging to the 
United States service, commanded by N. L. Coste, a native 
of South Carolina, was lying in the harbor of Charleston. 
On the 27th of December he managed to surrender the vessel 
to the State authorities, who immediately took possession of 
4 



74 



A HISTORY OF THE 



it, in the name of the Independent State of South Carolina. 
He attempted to excuse himself, upon the plea that he was 
not in command at the time, having a few days previously 
resigned his commission in the Federal Navy. 

The excitement in the City of Charleston on the morning 
of December 28th, is perhaps without a parallel in the pages 
of history. The people seemed absolutely frantic ; wild about 
something, and they scarcely knew what. Had an earthquake 
shaken their homes with terrible fury, it might have created 
more consternation, but could not have produced a more 
ungovernable and wild confusion. The Stars and Stripes were 
waving over Fort Sumter, and Major Anderson and his little 
band of patriots were safely ensconced behind its walls. This 
skillful movement infuriated the secession leaders, and they 
urged the people that the Grovernment had already commenced 
a war of aggression and tyranny upon them. It was necessary 
to do this, in order to properly fix the minds of the people in 
the proper channel to meet the events that the leaders foresaw 
would follow. 

The Convention was immediately called together, but it 
took no action, further than to express its indignation at what 
it considered an act of aggression and invasion. Individually, 
however, the members determined to stand by the Governor, and 
sustain his acts, though he should lead the State into imme- 
diate hostility with the Federal Grovernment. 

As if in anticipation of the event now brought about, the 
leaders had placed the State on a war footing, and the militia 
had been organized and drilled for military service. An order 
was issued by Grovernor Pickens, for the military to hold 
themselves in readiness to march, it being determined to 
occupy the vacated forts. In the afternoon the excitement 
had somewhat subsided, and the companies began to assemble 
and prepare to embark. The first detachment was ordered to 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



75 



occupy Castle Pinokney, and was under the command of Col. 
J. J. Pettigrew. It was composed of three companies of the 
Rifle Regiment, and numbered about two hundred men. About 
4 o'clock in the afternoon the troops were taken on board the 
steamer Nina, and passed over to Castle Pinckney, and in a 
short time the Palmetto flag was waving above its walls. 
The fort was entirely forsaken, the ammunition removed and 
the guns spiked. The fort was of no value, but they kept 
possession of it, and immediately commenced repairs. 

At 7 o'clock the steamer Nina was again at the wharf, and 
took on board a detachment to occupy Fort Moultrie. It was 
composed of the Marion Artillery, Lafayette Artillery, Wash- 
ington Artillery, and German Artillery, numbering about two 
hundred men. When they reached Fort Moultrie, they found 
Captain Foster, with a few Federal soldiers still in command, 
but they retired to Fort Sumter at the approach of the State 
troops. 

During the afternoon the Palmetto G-uard and Cadet Rifle- 
men took possession of the Arsenal, which, at the time, con- 
tained many thousand stand of arms and a large quantity of 
military stores. The Custom House had been seized, and the 
Palmetto flag raised over it. The judges of United States 
Courts had resigned, and all other Federal oflacers had ceased 
to act under the authority of the Federal Government, except 
the Post Master, and he continued to discharge his duties, 
more as a matter of policy than of loyalty to his country. The 
entire Federal authority was overthrown in the State of South 
Carolina, and the property of the General Government taken 
possession of, first on a pretext of protection from mob vio- 
lence, but afterward maintained on the plea that it belonged 
to the State. The revenue laws of the United States were 
continued in force by the State Convention, and the officers 
were re-sworn to serve the State of South Carolina and hold 



76 



A HISTORY OF THE 



allegiance to it only. The revenues were collected as usual? 
and handed over to the State authorities and applied to State 
purposes. Vessels were cleared from her ports under the 
authority of the State of South Carolina, and boldly sailed to 
their destinations unmolested or interfered with by the Federal 
authority. This inactivity of the Government was construed 
by the Secessionists into a weakness and want of firmness to 
enforce its laws, and a fear of Southern power and vengeance. 

After it was fully established that the Government would 
not withdraw Major Anderson and his command from Fort 
Sumter, the most active preparations wer6 made by South 
Carolina, to prevent any reinforcements reaching him. Though 
the cry was continually echoing from the State, that she did 
not desire war, her utmost strength was put forth in warlike 
preparations. Repairs were immediately commenced upon the 
forts, and, as rapidly as possible, guns of the largest dimen- 
sions were put in position. A heavy battery was erected on 
Morris Island, that completely commanded the channel, and 
could prevent tho entrance of vessels into the harbor. This 
battery was erected with a. view to prevent the reinforcement 
of Fort Sumter, and within easy range of Major Anderson's 
guns, but having no orders to prevent the erection of batteries 
within his reach, he did not wish to take the responsibility of 
opening the war, but was compelled to quietly witness the 
sealing up of the harbor against any relief that the Govern- 
ment might, by pinching up its courage, have the bravery to 
send him. 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



77 



CHAPTER Vn. 

SEIZURE OF THE FORTS IN GEORGIA. 

After the resignation of John B. Floyd, as Secretary of 
War, and the offer of the position to Greneral Scott, a feeling 
of more confidence in the Administration found its way into 
the public mind. It was firmly hoped and faintly believed 
that the Union could still be preserved, and the catastrophy 
of civil war avoided. This feeling was strengthened by the 
promptness of Mr. Holt, who was known to be a strong Union 
man. Greneral Scott, Greneral Cass, and Mr, Black, had urged 
the reinforcement of Fort Sumter, and it was on account of 
the President's hesitancy in the matter, that General Cass 
resigned his position as Secretary of State. Mr. Black main- 
tained his position more out of personal friendship for Mr. 
Buchanan, than a desire to fill the duties of his office. Had 
those men whose patriotism illumined the gloom that sur- 
rounded the President, and partially held the workers of 
secession in check, been withdrawn, the result might have 
more disastrous to the country. 

The Commissioners from the State of South Carolina had 
been in Washington for several days, but had not been received 
officially by the President. This delay on the part of the 
Federal Grovernment perplexed them, and considerably annoyed 
their dignity and pricked their pride. It was presumed by 
the Palmetto Nation, that they would instantly have an official 
audience, and without delay a division of the Federal property 
would take place, and the articles of divorce and separation 
would be quickly ratified. But the President was constrained 



78 



A HISTORY OF THE 



to receive them only as gentlemen, and thus their most ardent 
official hopes were disappointed. Notwithstanding this cold 
indifference to their official visit, they made themselves per- 
fectly at home. A house was taken for their convenience, 
and every evidence was manifest that they intended to remain 
as accredited ministers plenipotentiary from the independent 
Palmetto Nation. It was strongly urged by the people of the 
North, that the Commissioners should be arrested, and dealt 
with as traitors to their government, and by some decisive 
blow put a stop to the rapidly spreading disaffection. The 
Commissioners, however, boldly avowed their intentions, and 
impudently insisted on being received as ministers from a 
foreign nation. They tenaciously adhered to this idea, and 
avowed that their departure from the capitol of the United 
States would amount to a declaration of war. But failing to 
frighten the Administration into terms of recognition, they con- 
tented themselves in feasting and pampering their friends at 
the expense of their Grovernment, until they took their depar- 
ture with war upon their wings. 

The holidays had passed, and 1861 had opened upon the 
country, with a sad prospect for the future. One part of the 
country was rapidly arming and fortifying itself, and defying 
the Government it had rebelled against. Another portion 
quietly viewed this aspect of affairs, and looked to the 
established authority to overthrow this belligerent position. 
The Administration was weak and vacillating, and Congress 
was squabbling over political technicalities and political preju- 
dices. The Committee of Thirty-three, to whom the impend- 
ing crisis had been committed, were busily engaged — as 
politicians always are — trying to settle political differences to 
the best advantage for their particular party, after which, 
their attention would have been directed to the good of the 
country. Unfortunately the political differences were not 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



79 



settled, and the distracted state of the country was not 
reached. 

On the 31st of December, an order was issued by the State 
of South Carolina to fortify Charleston harbor, and by the 2d 
of January, 1861, a battery of logs, earth and sand, was 
erected on the end of Sullivan Island, and one on Morris 
Island. It was expected that the Harriet Lane, a Government 
vessel, would attempt to enter the harbor, and orders were 
issued to fire into her and sink her if possible. There was 
constant drilling in the city, and several military companies 
marched on secret service. The Columbia Artillery arrived in 
the city at noon, on the 2d of January, 1861, and were imme- 
diately ordered to the harbor, and at the same time the forts 
were supplied with two thousand pounds of powder. 

The Convention of the State elected Commissioners to visit 
each of the Slave States, and solicit them to assist in forming 
a Southern Confederacy. The report of a committee appointed 
for the purpose, suggested that, as a basis for the said Con- 
federacy, the Constitution of the United States would be of 
infinite importance. They believed that the instrument called 
the Constitution of the United States was the work of great 
minds, and that it was constructed with the greatest skill and 
the most careful examination of details ; that experience has 
proved it to be. a good form of government for those sufficiently 
virtuous, intelligent and patriotic, to cause it to be fairly and 
honestly construed and impartially carried out ; that it is the 
settled opinion of this State that there has never been an 
adverse plan of government for the Confederate States, on 
account of anything in its structure, but dissatisfaction, attri- 
butable to false glosses, dangerous misinterpretation, and 
perversion of sundry of its provisions, even to the extent in 
one particular of so covering up the real purposes of certain 
legislation (meant to protect domestic manufactures in one 



80 



A HISTORY OF THE 



section) as to estop the Supreme Court in its opinion from 
judicially perceiving the real design ; that it presents a com- 
plete scheme of confederation, capable of being speedily put 
in operation. 

The naturalization laws of the United States were so 
accommodated as to suit the condition of the State, and were 
then adopted by the Convention. The following ordinance, 
and oaths of allegiance and abjuration were also adopted : 

Every person residing in South Carolina at the time of its 
secession from the United States, whether a born resident or 
a naturalized citizen, shall continue until death a citizen of 
South Carolina, unless a foreign residence be established, or 
notice of intention be given of expatriation ; also, that all free 
whites born within the territory of the State, or those born 
outside the territory, whose father was then a citizen, shall be 
deemed citizens. Every person a citizen of any one of the 
States now confederated under the name of the United States 
of America, who, within twelve months after the date of the 
Ordinance of Secession, shall come and reside in the State 
with the intention of remaining; upon such person taking the 
oath of allegiance to this State, below provided. Also, every 
free white who shall be engaged in actual service in the mili- 
tary or naval force of the State, or shall take an oath of inten- 
tion to continue in such service at least three months, unless 
sooner discharged honorably ; and also the oath of allegiance 
below prescribed ; in this case the oath to be administered by 
a commissioned officer of the service in which the applicant for 
citizenship is to be engaged, of superior rank to the applicant ; 
thereupon the certificate of citizenship of the applicant, signed 
by the officer, shall be delivered to the applicant ; also, every 
free white not a citizen of any of the States above mentioned, 
who at the date of secession was residing in the State, or who 
within a year from that date has come to reside in the State 
with the intention of remaining, upon such person appearing 
before the Court of Common Pleas, for any of the districts of 
the State, and establishing by his or her oath the residence or 
intention here required, and taking the oaths of allegiance and 
abjuration prescribed below ; also, every person not a citizen 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 81 

of any of the States above mentioned. [It means any per- 
son of the United States at the date aforesaid, who may 
come to reside in the State with the intention of remaining, 
may be naturalized according to the naturalization laws of the 
State, until altered or repealed.] 

The oath of allegiance is : "I do swear or af&rm, that I will 
be faithful and true allegiance bear to the State of South Caro- 
lina so long as I may continue a citizen thereof." 

The oath of abjuration is : "I solemnly swear or affirm, that 
I do renounce and for ever abjure all allegiance and fidelity to 
every prince, potentate. State, or sovereignty whatsoever, 
except the State of South Carolina." 

About this time a large number of troops were offered to 
South Carolina from Greorgia and other Southern States. But 
it was believed that the ostensible purpose of assembling the 
troops was not for the protection of the State, but for the pur- 
pose of seizing the Federal Capitol. This idea found its way 
to the President, and an order was issued to Captain Charles 
Stone to organize the militia of the District of Columbia. 

About this time a commissioner had been dispatched by 
the Legislature of the State of Mississippi to the State of Dela- 
ware, to use his influence with the Legislature of the latter 
State, to bring about its secession. Though the State was 
small in dimensions, it had within it a loyal and patriotic peo- 
ple, who firmly stood by the Union. Mr. Dickenson laid before 
the Delaware Legislature the resolution passed by that of Mis- 
sissippi, and entertained the Delaware legislators with the 
most urgent appeals to join in the secession movement. He 
was listened to with the most dignified respect, and his propo- 
sitions duly considered. This was more a matter of courtesy 
than an inclination to consider the subject with any serious 
intentions. 

On the 3d of January the following resolution was adopted 
in the Delaware Legislature, having passed the House unani- 
mously, and by a majority in the Senate : — 
4* 



82 A. HISTORY OF THE 

Resolved, That, having extended to the Hon. H. Dickenson, 
Commissioner from Mississippi, the courtesy due him as a 
representative of a sovereign State of the Confederacy, as 
well as to the State he represents, we deem it proper and due 
to ourselves and the people of Delaware, to express our unqua- 
lified disapproval of the remedy for the existing difficulties 
suggested by the resolutions of the Legislature of Mississippi. 

The action of Delaware in thus summarily dismissing a sub- 
ject so dangerous and disloyal, was hailed with delight. It 
revived the drooping cause of the Union, and gave hope of at 
least some check to the rapidly spreading evil. 

The movements of the State of G-eorgia were closely watched, 
for it was believed by many that the Union sentiment of her 
people would prevail over the secession efforts of Toombs and 
Cobb. But this hope was partially dispelled ; for, on the 3d 
of January, Governor Brown dispatched a portion of the 
State troops to seize Forts Pulaski and Jackson, near Savan- 
nah. Like almost every important point in the South, these 
forts had been previously prepared for the secessionists by the 
Secretary of War. Grovernor Brown excuses this haste, (the 
State not having seceded,) on the ground that he feared they 
would fall into the hands of the mob, and he was anxious to 
protect the Federal property. 

At eight o'clock in the morning, the steamer Sampson left 
Savannah with detachments for Fort Pulaski. Col. Henry K . 
Jackson, Aid to the Governor, accompanied by Major H. M. 
Davenport, had preceded the companies, and had demanded 
of Mr. Thomas Hennassy, keeper of the fort, the keys, which 
he, having no power to resist, promptly delivered to the autho- 
rized agent of the Governor of Georgia. 

"When the boat reached the landing on Cockspur Island, the 
troops were debarked, and marched to the fort, which was 
taken possession of in pursuance of orders of the Governor of 
the State, by Col. A. B. Lawton, commanding officer, Capt. 



CIVIL WAR IN THE TTNITED STATES. 



83 



F. S. Bartow, of the Oglethorpe Light Infantry, acting as 
second in command. 

On the passage down, the Sampson passed the revenue 
cutter J. C. Dobbin, with United States colors, Union down, 
and the Palmetto flag flying at her peak. 

Shortly after the arrival of the steamer at Cockspur, a party 
of gentlemen presented themselves at the fort, and made a 
tender to Col. Lawton of the cutter, which they had captured, 
and which was then aground. Col. Lawton not recognizing 
the unlawful capture of the Dobbin, authorized Capt. Schriven, 
of the Savannah Yolunteer Gruard, to take possession of her 
in the name of the State of Greorgia, with instructions to turn 
her over to the Governor, which he did. 

Mr. Boston, the Collector of the port of Savannah, protested 
against the seizure of the revenue cutter, as she had, some 
fifteen days before, been ordered to Baltimore. Governor 
Brown sent the following note in reply to Mr. Boston : — 

Pulaski HousEj Jan. 3, 1861. 
John Boston, Collector, Src 

Sir — Your note in reply to my communication of this 
evening is received, and I have ordered the delivery of the J. 
C. Dobbin to her captain, with permission to proceed to sea, 
as you have requested. Yery respectfully, &c., 

Joseph E. Brown. 

SAYANJS"AH AND ITS DEFENSES. 
Savannah is the seat of justice, and the largest city in the 
State of Georgia, and contains 20,000 inhabitants. It is 
situated on the south-east bank of the Savannah river, on a 
high bluff, forty feet above low-water mark. It is twelve 
miles distant, in a direct or air line, from the ocean, and 
eighteen miles, following the course of the river. The city is 
regularly laid out in the form of a parallelogram, with streets 
(many of them wide) tjrossing each other at right angles. 



84 



A HISTORY OP THE 



There are ten public squares in the city, containing two acres 
each, at equal distances from each other. These squares and 
many of the streets are bordered with trees, and particularly 
of the genus known as the " Pride of India," which give them 
a beautiful appearance. The monument erected to General 
Greene, and especially the one to Count General Pulaski, who 
fell in the attack against the British at Savannah, are beautiful 
and tasteful structures. Many of the houses are of brick, and 
a considerable number of them, including the principal public 
buildings, are elegant. The city is lighted with gas, and well 
supplied with water from the river, raised by two powerful 
steam engines into a reservoir one hundred and twenty feet 
above the surface of the river, and distributed through the 
city in iron pipes. On the east and west of the city are 
marshes, and a pine barren extends two miles to the south. 
The city affords good facilities for vessels in distress, having a 
dry dock capable of taking vessels 235 feet in length, by 60 
feet over all, and everything necessary for repairing vessels. 
There are also ways for drawing up vessels of three hundred 
tons. There are twenty feet of water on Tybee bar at high 
water, with a fall of six feet. 

The city was founded in 1733, by General James Ogle- 
thorpe and others. It was taken by the British in 1778, but 
they abandoned it in 1782. On the 10th of January, 1820, 
four hundred and sixty-three buildings were destroyed by fire, 
four millions worth of property destroyed; but it has been 
rebuilt with additional beauty. 

FORT PULASKI. 

The city is guarded on its sea approaches by Fort Pulaski, 
built on Cockspur Island, fourteen miles from Savannah, at the 
mouth of the Savannah river. The site of the fortification 
was selected by Major Baboock, of the United States Engineer 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 86 

Corps, about twenty-six years ago, but it was not till 1831 
that the work of erecting the present massive masonry fortifi- 
cation was commenced in earnest. In that year Captain 
Mansfield, now Colonel Mansfield, of the Inspector General's 
Department, took charge of its construction. The fort was 
finished a few years ago, at a cost of ^963,000. The fort is 
of a pentagonal form, covering several acres; its walls are 
forty feet high, and present two faces on the sea approach, 
with ranges of fire radiating at opposite angles. The fort is 
embrasured on the front and channel side for one row of guns, 
under bomb-proof casemates, with an additional tier of guns 
open, or en barbette. The salient points and flanking 
approaches in the rear of the work have no embrasures for 
heavy cannon, but are thoroughly covered by enfilading 
musket loopholes, which renders a land or escalading attack 
extra hazardous to an enemy. The full armament of the fort 
consists on the lower tier of sixty-five thirty-two-pounder iron 
pieces, and the upper tier with fifty-three twenty-four-pounders, 
four eighte en-pounder flanking howitzers, one thirteen-inch 
mortar, twelve eight-inch columbiads, and seven ten-inch 
mortars — in all, one hundred and fifty guns. Not more than 
one-half the number of guns required for its full armament 
were in the fort, and these were dismantled. The columbiads, 
to which reference has been made, are very destructive 
weapons of long range, and adapted to use spherical shot or 
shells. Many of those in Fort Pulaski can be mounted to 
have a horizontal fire of one hundred and eighty degrees, and 
a vertical fire of five degrees depression to thirty-six degrees 
elevation. The interior of the fort is well supplied with mas- 
sive furnaces for heating shot, officers' quarters, soldiers' 
barracks, magazines, and a tolerable supply of shot and 
powder. 

A ditch surrounds the work, and which, when dry, can be 



86 



A HISTORY OF THE 



used by sharp shooters, or should it be necessary at the 
approach of an enemy, easily flooded. Beyond this ditch is a 
glacis, or inclined bank, which is enfiladed by the guns from 
the lower or casemate row of the fortification. The fort is 
not on a full war footing ; to complete it, twenty-six new 
barbette gun platforms are required, to suit the prescribed 
armament ; and the ditches should be cleared of the mud 
accumulated throughout their whole extent, the bottoms of 
the ditches repaired, and the banks of the feeding canal 
riveted. The full war garrison of the work is eight hundred 
men, but one-half that number could hold it successfully. 
Vessels of any considerable size, in beating up the channel to 
Savannah, are obliged to approach within seventy yards of the 
fort, and at this point many guns of large calibre can be made 
to concentrate their fire. The fortification is pronounced by 
expert army engineers, one of the strongest and most perfect 
of its kind on this continent. It covers more area than Fort 
Sumter, but has one tier of guns less than that work. 

Fort Pulaski is now garrisoned by upwards of two hundred 
Greorgia State troops, who are working to put the place in a 
complete state of defense. The garrison is now under the 
command of Colonel Alexander R. Lawton, a graduate of 
West Point, and subsequently an officer of the First Regiment 
of United States Artillery. 

rORT JACKSON. 

This is a small work, built on a low marsh, four miles from 
Savannah, on a site near the bend of the river, and command- 
ing important points in the channel. It is built of heavy brick 
masonry. Its armament consists of ten twenty-four-pounder 
iron guns, three field pieces, five eight-inch howitzers, one 
ten-inch mortar and one eight-inch mortar. Its war garrison 
consists of seventy men. It cost the government f 80,000. 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



87 



Early Friday morning, January 4th, the State troops of 
Alabama took possession of the Arsenal at Mobile. It con 
tained six stand of arms, fifteen hundred barrels of powder 
three hundred thousand rounds of musket cartridges, and 
other munitions of war. During the night. Forts Morgan and 
Gaines, in Mobile harbor, had been taken possession of. This 
course was usually preparatory to the secession of a State. , 

FORT MORGAN AND MOUNT VERNON ARSENAL. 

At the time Louisiana was purchased from France, in 1803, 
Mobile was claimed and held as a Spanish possession. The 
French claimed territory to the Perdido river, flowing into 
the Grulf of Mexico between Mobile Bay and Pensacola. When 
we came into possession of Louisiana, we also claimed to the 
same boundary, while the Spanish Grovernment claimed to a 
line considerably west of Mobile. The war of 1812 coming, 
the Spaniards continued in possession until 1813, when the 
Fort Conde, the principal work in Mobile, was surrendered to 
a force under Gleneral Wilkinson, and our claim made good to 
the Perdido. The Americans, on taking possession, not only 
strengthened Fort Conde, but also manned the imperfect works 
at Mobile Point, which measurably commanded the entrance to 
the harbor. These were attacked, in the autumn of 1814, by 
some British vessels of war — one of which, if our memory 
serves us, was the Hermes. On this locality has since been 
constructed Fort Morgan — one of the strongest defensive works 
on the Grulf of Mexico. With this fort and oiher works at the 
entrance of the bay, twenty-two miles from the city, in the 
possession of a reasonable force, no fleet, however formidable, 
can pass them. Fort Morgan alone commands the chief 
entrance to the bay. Vessels of large draft cannot pass over 
Dog Island bar, some miles below the city. 

The Arsenal, referred to as having been taken possession of 



88 



A HISTORY OF THE 



by Alabama militia, is known as the Mount Yernon Arsenal, 
and is situated thirty miles in the interior, north of Mobile. 
It stands on a high hill, which rises some 400 or 500 feet 
above the surrounding country. From the base of this hill to 
the city, and, in fact, to the Gulf of Mexico, is almost a dead 
level. The soil is sandy, and covered with an almost unbroken 
pitch pine forest, interspersed with alluvial creeks, small farms, 
and with glades and swamps, bearing magnolia trees, live oaks 
and tangled thickets of undergrowth. The present Mobile 
and Tennessee Railroad passes near Mount Yernon. The 
view from the Arsenal is magnificent, overlooking, towards the 
Gulf, an apparently interminable carpet of green, which is lost 
in dimness as it disappears at its junction with the distant 
horizon. The site was well chosen as a safe depository of 
arms and other munitions of war for the defense of New 
Orleans, Mobile, Pensacola, and the contiguous Gulf coast, 
and it is probably the strongest and best built arsenal to be 
found in the Uited States. It contains a vast store of army 
equipments of all kinds, including a large quantity of muskets, 
artillery, and military apparatus of all kinds, with an ample 
supply of balls and powder. From the elevated position of the 
arsenal, it could be defended against almost any amount of 
force that might be brought against it. 

FORT MORGAN. 

The principal fortification, guarding the mouth of Mobile 
Bay, is Fort Morgan. It is located on Mobile Point, on the 
site of old Fort Boyer, of 1814 memory — a long, low, sandy 
peninsula, between the Gulf of Mexico, on the south, and 
Bonsecours Bay and Navy Cove, on the north. The Point 
is the eastern limit of the entrance to Mobile Bay. As the site 
of Fort Morgan is historic, we subjoin the following brief 
sketch of its importance in the war of 1812 : — 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



89 



On September 14tli, 1814, a British fleet of four vessels, 
carrying ninety-two guns, attacked Fort Boyer, a small 
redoubt. This redoubt was garrisoned by only one hundred 
and twenty Americans — officers included — under the command 
of Major Lawrence, and its armament was but twenty small 
pieces of cannon, some of which were almost entirely useless, 
and most of them poorly mounted, in batteries ha&tily thrown 
up, and leaving the guns uncovered from the knee upward, 
while the enemy's land force, acting in concert with the ships, 
consisted of twenty artillerists, -with a battery of two guns, 
and seven hundred and thirty marines, Indians, and negroes. 
His ships carried five hundred and ninety men in all. This 
immense disparity of numbers and strength did not allow to 
the British military and naval commanders the slightest appre- 
hension that four British ships, carrying ninety-two guns, and 
a land force somewhat exceeding seven hundred combatants, 
could fail in reducing a small work mounting only twenty short 
caronades, and defended by a little more than one hundred 
men, unprovided alike with furnaces for heating shot, or case- 
mates to cover themselves from rockets and shells. Nevertheless, 
the enemy was completely repulsed ; the British commodore's 
ship was entirely destroyed. The enemy's loss, in killed and 
wounded, was two hundred and thirty-two men, while the 
American loss was only eight or nine. 

The present fortification is of a star form, built of Northern 
granite, and is, we believe, embrasured for one tier of guns, in 
casemated bomb-proof roofs, and another tier of guns open air, 
or en barbette. On the exterior of the fort is a ditch and 
glacis extending entirely around it. There are other advanced 
works on the counter approaches to the fort. It is not 
wholly accessible by land, and it therefore affords little 
advantage ground to an enemy. 



90 



A HISTORY OF THE 



ITS ARMAMENT. 



Iron forty-two-pounders 14 

Iron twenty-foiir-pounders 52 

Eighteen-pounders 3 

Twelve-pounders 4 

Brass field pieces for flanking defenses 6 

Brass flanking howitzers 26 

Eight-inch howitzers, heavy 10 

Thirteen-inch mortars , 2 

Ten-inch mortars, heavy 4 

Ten-inch mortars, light 2 

Eight-inch mortars, light 2 

Sixteen-inch stone mortars 2 

Coehorn mortars 5 ^ 



Total armament 132 



We believe all or nearly all the guns required for the arma- 
ment of the work are within its walls, but, with the exception 
of a few guns en barbette, were dismounted. The Alabama 
State troops, however, were busy in mounting the guns, and 
by this time have forty or fifty of them commanding the entrance 
to Mobile Bay. There are about five thousand shot and shells 
in the fort, and additions have since been made. It will re- 
quire the sum of ^50,000 for making changes for the new and 
heavy armament on the exterior batteries, and for extensive 
repairs required for the preservation of the work. 

The fort has ample quarters for officers, soldiers' barracks, 
storehouses and magazines, and furnaces for heating hot shot. 
The entire work cost the Federal Grovernment one and a quar- 
ter millions of dollars. 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



91 



FORT GAINES. 

This work is the other defence to Mobile Bay. It is situated 
on Dauphin's Island Point, three miles and one-fourth from, 
and nearly opposite Fort Morgan. This fort was under con- 
struction, and when finished would mount eighty-nine guns. 
The Chief Engineer of the Corps of Engineers, in his report to 
the Secretary of War in 1860, says of the work: — "Opera- 
tions were resumed in January, 1860. The west bastion has 
been raised five minutes and six seconds, the magazine arch 
turned, four flank howitzer embrasures built, and the main 
arch commenced. The main arches of the north, south, and 
north-east bastions have been turned, and the planks and piers 
of these bastions built up ready for the arches of the flanking 
guns. The side walls of the north and west posterns have 
been built, the arch of the west postern turned, and four iron 
gates for posterns made and hung. The gorge curtain has 
been raised three minutes six seconds ; the brick facing of the 
south-west curtain has been raised four minutes three seconds, 
and backed with concrete for one foot in height ; and the brick 
facing of the north half of north curtain has been raised three 
minutes six seconds. The parade has been thoroughly graded, 
the earth being embanked in the ramparts, and the wharf has 
been repaired so as to allow of the receipt of materials. With 
the funds at present available, it is expected that the scarp 
wall will be completed and embanked to a sufficient height to 
allow of the channel-bearing guns being mounted on temporary 
platforms in case of necessity. To complete the work, with 
the exception to further accommodate the garrison, the officer 
in charge estimates that the sum of $65,000 will be required." 

After the dismissal of the Secession Commissioners from the 
State of Delaware, the power of the secessionists was doubled 
upon the State of Maryland. At a glance they saw the geo- 
graphical benefit this State would be to them. Of Virginia 



92 



A HISTORY OF THE 



they were certain, and it was only the lukewarmness of Mary- 
land that still held Virginia in the Union. If Maryland were 
obtained, the Federal Capitol would be cut ofi" from the North, 
and it would fall an easy prey to the South. With the Fede- 
ral Capitol in their possession, the damage to the cause of the 
Union would have been irreparable, and perhaps fatal. There 
was, under all, a secret plan to capture Washington, as soon 
as Maryland should be secured. Governor Hicks was beset 
by the most fervent secessionists of the State, to convene the 
State Legislature in extra session. But the patriot was too 
wise and sagacious to be moved from his loyalty by any 
sophistry or argument of his self-constituted advisers. He 
could not see the necessity of convening the Legislature, nor 
could they convince him upon that point. So hard did they 
press him, and so frequently misrepresent him to the people 
of his State, that he was constrained to defend himself by 
issuing an address, January 6th, to the citizens. He says : 

« I firmly believe that a division of this Grovernment would 
inevitably produce civil war. The secession leaders in South 
Carolina, and the fanatical demagogues of the North, have alike 
proclaimed that such would be the result, and no man of sense, 
in my opinion, can question it. What could the Legislature 
do in this crisis, if convened, to remove the present troubles 
which beset the Union ? We are told by the leading spirits of 
the South Carolina Convention, that neither the election of 
Mr. Lincoln, nor the non-execution of the Fugitive Slave Law, 
nor both combined, constitute their grievances. They declare 
that the real cause of their discontent dates as far back as 
1838. Maryland, and every other State in the Union, with a 
united voice, then declared the cause insufficient to justify the 
course of South Carolina. Can it be that this people, who 
then unanimously supported the cause of Gen. Jackson, will 

now yield their opinions at the bidding of modern secessionists. 

* * * * * * * 

" The people of Maryland, if left to themselves, would 
decide, with scarcely an exception, that there is nothing in 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 93 

the present causes of complaint to justify immediate secession ; 
and yet, against our judgments and solemn convictions of duty, 
we are to be precipitated into this revolution, because South 
Carolina thinks difi'erently. Are we not equals'? Or shall 
her opinions control our actions 1 After we have solemnly 
declared for ourselves, as every man must do, are we to be 
forced to yield our opinions to those of another State, and 
thus, in effect, obey her mandates ? She refuses to wait for 
our counsels. Are we bound to obey her commands ? 

" The men who have embarked in this scheme to convene 
the Legislature will spare no pains to carry their point. The 
whole plan of operations in the event of the assembling of the 
Legislature is, as I have been informed, already marked out, 
the list of ambassadors who are to visit the other States is 
agreed on, and the resolutions which they hope will be passed 
by the Legislature, fully committing this State to secession, 
are said to be already prepared. 

" In the course of nature, I cannot have long to live, and I 
fervently trust to be allowed to end my days a citizen of this 
glorious Union. But, should I be compelled to witness the 
downfall of that Grovernment inherited from our fathers, esta- 
blished, as it were, by the special favor of Grod, I will at least 
have the consolation, at my dying hour, that I neither by word 
or deed assisted in hastening its disruption. 

(Signed,) " Thomas H. Hicks." 

- The 'Grovernor's patriotism was afterwards sustained by the 
people, who declared, by a majority of thousands, that they 
were for the Union. 

When it was fully ascertained that the Star of the West 
had sailed for Charleston, with reinforcements and supplies for 
Fort Sumter, Mr. Thompson, Secretary of the Interior, became 
very indignant, and immediately resigned his position. His 
promptness in withdrawing from the Cabinet did not, for a 
moment, incommode the Grovernment, or cause one sigh of 
regret, except to his secession friends, who saw that their most 
faithful servants and spies were fast -removing from important 



94 A HISTORY OP THE 

places. This course was depriving them of much valuable 
information of the movements of the Grovernment, that could 
not be gathered from any other sources. By these resigna- 
tions the political atmosphere of the Cabinet was becoming 
pure, and it was ardently hoped that something firm and 
decisive would be done to check the accumulating disaffection. 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



95 



CHAPTER YIIL 

REINEORCEMENTS SENT TO FORT SUMTER. 

The President yielded to the influence of the loyal members 
of his Cabinet, and secretly dispatched the Star of the West 
to Charleston, with troops and supplies for Major Anderson. 
It was a mournful and melancholy sight, to view the humili- 
ating and cowardly condition of the Federal Government. 
Powerful enough to have crushed, at one blow, the infection 
that was just budding into rebellion, it was compelled to 
crouch to its enemies and entreat their forbearance. Its troops 
were quartered in its own fort and in its own dominions, and 
in order to supply them an unarmed vessel must endeavor to 
sneak past batteries erected by the Government's own hostile 
subjects. The world, perhaps, never before witnessed an act 
so undignified by a nation so powerful, and in all probability 
never will again. 

About half-past ten o'clock, on the morning of January the 
9th, the steamer General Clinch, belonging to the Palmetto 
Nation, discovered the Star of the West, standing for Charles- 
ton harbor. The State battery on Morris Island was immedi- 
ately signaled, and in a short time the State troops were pre- 
pared to give the ship a warm reception. The authorities had 
been advised from Washington of the sailing of the vessel, its 
destination and its object. The battery prepared to warn the 
vessel, but expected that the moment their guns opened upon it, 
Fort Sumter would return the compliment. The vessel rounded 
the point, took the ship channel inside the bar, and steamed 
forward until within three-quarters of a mile of Morris Island. 



96 A HISTORY OF THE 

The first shot fired passed across the bow of the vessel and 
struck the water about a ship's length ahead. The American 
ensign at the fore peak was then unfurled, and the vessel 
continued on amid the fire of the battery ; but receiving no 
answer by signal from Fort Sumter in response to the hoisting 
of the American flag, and a couple of vessels coming down 
the harbor at the same time, apparently with a hostile inten- 
tion, her head was turned for sea once more. 

During all this trying time, with the guns of the battery 
continually pouring out their deadly missiles, the most admira- 
ble order was preserved on board. The soldiers were sent 
below, and no one allowed to remain on deck except the 
officers and crew. The captain and first officers were at the 
pilot-house, while the second mate was ready on the forward 
deck to get the relieving tackle to work in the event of any 
of the balls striking the wheel and preventing control over the 
vessel's movements. That there was good need of this pre- 
caution, is shown by the close proximity of a ball that passed 
over the wheel-house. The shots fired at the vessel during 
the first part of the attack struck short of her, but, glancing 
up from the water, ricocheted over the vessel, and were plainly 
visible during their flight in this second direction. 

After she had again put to sea. Major Anderson sent Lieut. 
Hall with a flag of truce to Governor Pickens, and laid before 
him the following note : 

TO HIS EXCELLENCY, THE GOVERNOR OF SOUTH CAROLINA : 

Sir — Two of your batteries fired this morning on an un- 
armed vessel bearing the flag of my Grovernment. As I have 
not been notified that war has been declared by South Carolina 
against the United States, I cannot but think this a hostile 
act, committed without your sanction or authority. Under 
that hope I refrain from opening fire on your batteries. I 
have the honor, therefore, respectfully to ask whether the 
above mentioned act — one which I believe without parallel in 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



97 



the history of our country or any other civilized government — 
was committed in obedience to your instructions, and notify 
you, if it is not disclaimed, that I regard it as an act of war, 
and I shall not, after reasonable time for the return of my 
messenger, permit any vessel to pass within the range of the 
guns of my fort. 

In order to save, as far as it is in my power, the shedding 
of blood, I beg you will take due notification of my decision 
for the good of all concerned. Hoping, however, your answer 
may justify a further continuance of forbearance on my part, 
I remain, respectfully, Robert Anderson. 

The Grovernor, in his reply, reviews the position of South 
Carolina toward the United States, and then says : 

" That any attempt to send United States troops into 
Charleston harbor to reinforce the forts would be regarded as 
an act of hostility, and in conclusion adds that any attempt to 
reinforce the troops at Fort Sumter, or to retake and resume 
possession of the forts within the waters of South Carolina, 
which Major Anderson abandoned after spiking the cannon 
and doing other damages, cannot be regarded by the authori- 
ties of the State as indicative of any other purpose than the 
coercion of the State by the armed force of the government. 

" Special agents, therefore, have been off the bar to warn 
approaching vessels, armed and unarmed, having troops to 
reinforce Fort Sumter aboard, not to enter the harbor. Special 
orders have been given the commanders at the forts not to fire 
on such vessels until a shot across their bows should warn 
them of the prohibition of the State. Under these circum- 
stances the Star of the West, it is understood, this morning 
attempted to enter the harbor with troops, after having been 
notified she could not enter, and consequently she was fired 
into. The act is perfectly justified by me. 

"In regard to your threat about vessels in the harbof, it is 
only necessary for me to say you must be the judge of your 
responsibility. Your position in the harbor has been tolerated 
by the authorities of the State, and while the act of which 
you complain is in perfect consistency with the rights and 
duties of the State, it is not perceived how far the conduct 

5 



98 



A HISTORY OF THE 



you propose to adopt can find a parallel in the history of any 
country, or be reconciled with any other poupose than that of 
your Government imposing on the State the condition of a 
conquered province. F. W. Pickens." 

After Major Anderson received the reply of Grovernor 
Pickens, he concluded to submit the matter to the Federal 
Grovernment. He accordingly addressed a second note to 
the Governor, informing him of his decision, and request- 
ing that Lieutenant Talbot be permitted to proceed to Wash- 
ington with dispatches, and return with further orders upon 
the subject. To this request the Governor of the independent 
Palmetto Nation made no objections. Late in the evening 
Lieutenant Talbot proceeded on his journey to Washington. 

For a few hours there was great excitement in the City of 
Charleston, but when the Star of the West turned about and 
put to sea, it partially subsided into rejoicing at the result. 
Every taunt and indignity the Southern press could conceive 
and invent was heaped upon the Government. They had 
carried out their threat, and the first missile of war fired upon 
the Federal flag was sent by the State of South Carolina. It 
was the beginning of war, a declaration of hostilities more 
substantial than a mere paper missile. 

Notwithstanding this outrage upon our national honor — an 
insult that any other nation would have resented by the utter 
annihilation of the insulting party, was quietly acquiesced in by 
the President. No further attempt was made at that time to 
reinforce Fort Sumter ; but Major Anderson and his little 
band were allowed to remain prisoners in Charleston harbor. 

The investment of Fort Sumter was pushed rapidly forward. 
Hundreds of negro slaves were employed on the works, and 
mechanics were engaged in building a formidable floating 
battery. It was composed of hemlock logs, squared and 
bolted together. The end which was to carry the battery, 



CIVIL WAll IN THE UNITED STATES. 



99 



presented an angle of about thirty degrees from near the 
centre upward, and formed a sort of bomb-proof roof. It 
descended from near the centre to the \yater, at an angle of 
about forty-five degrees, so that shot striking it would glance 
off. The end was covered with railroad iron, and was con- 
sidered perfectly impregnable. Its position was to be near 
Fort Sumter, and its armament being heavy, it was intended 
to breach the walls. A few weeks before the bombardment, it 
was anchored within easy range of Fort Sumter. 

On the 5th of March, Peter Gr. Toutant Beauregard, for- 
merly a- Major of the United States Engineers, assumed com- 
mand of the military works at Charleston, by order of Jefferson 
Davis, President of the Southern Confederacy. From this 
time there was unusual activity, and by the 11th of April, 
seventeen formidable batteries, manned by between seven and 
eight thousand troops, were grinning upon Fort Sumter. 



100 



A HISTORY OF THE 



CHAPTER IX. 

SEIZURE OF THE FORTS IN NORTH CAROLINA. 

It was known that a strong Union feeling existed in North 
Carolina, and a fervent hope was entertained that her people 
would resist the secession movement, and stand by the Federal 
Grovernment. If the people of the State had been left free 
in the expression of their sentiments, there is but little doubt 
the State would have remained loyal. But her rulers were 
pledged to follow South Carolina, and determined to carry the 
State in that direction at all hazards. 

On the night of January 8th, the Smith ville Guard, acting 
under the orders of Grovernor Ellis, took possession of Fort 
Macon, at Beaufort, and Fort Caswell, at Smithfield. 

FORT MACON. 

Fort Macon protects Beaufort, N. C, and is situated on a 
bluff of Bogue's bank, one and three-fourths mile from the 
city. It commands the entrance to Beaufort harbor, having 
full sweep of fire on the main channel. The opposite entrance 
to the harbor is Shackleford bank, one and a half mile across. 
The fortification is of hexagonal form, has two tiers of guns, 
one in casemated bombproofe, and the other en barbette. Its 
armament consists of twenty thirty-two pounders, thirty-two 
twenty-four-pounders, two eighteen-pounders, two twelve- 
pounders, three field pieces for flanking defense, twelve flank 
howitzers, eight eight-inch howitzers, (heavy,) eight eight-inch 
howitzers, (light,) one thirteen-inch mortar, three ten-inch 
mortars, two Coehorn mortars. Total, eighty-seven guns. 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 101 

The war garrison of the fort is three hundred men. This fort, 
however, is sadly in need of repairs ; the masonry requires 
pointing in many places ; nearly all the iron work, such as 
doors and window fastenings, are rusted away. One of the 
wooden bridges across the ditch is decayed, as also the 
shingled entire slope of the covert way. The shot furnace is 
useless, the store rooms need renovation, and the roadway 
requires to have its embankment repaired, and a new bridge 
to be built across the canal. The wharf, having its piers 
undermined by the sea current and its wooden superstructure 
much decayed, requires to be rebuilt. The fortification cost 
the Federal Government half a million dollars. 

FORT CASWELL. 

Fort Caswell is a first class fortification, of a hexagonal 
form, built of massive Northern granite masonry, having two 
tiers of guns under bomb-proof casemates, and one tier of guns 
en barbette. It is situated at the entrance of Cape Fear river, 
two miles from Smithville. Its armament consists of twelve 
thirty- two-pounders, twenty-two twenty-four-pounders, four 
eighteen-pounders, four twelve-pounders, three field pieces for 
flanking defenses, six flank howitzers, six eight-inch howitzers, 
(heavy,) two ten-inch mortars, and two Coehorn mortars — in 
all eighty-seven guns. The work is surrounded by ditches 
and advanced works, and is in every particular a first class 
work. It cost the Federal Government $571,000. Its war 
garrison consists of four hundred men. The work is generally 
in very good condition. A change is required in its armament, 
so that more guns may be mounted upon the gorge of the 
main work of the covered way, as these portions now bear 
directly upon the channel, which has shifted from the east to 
the west shore. New platforms for these guns will require to 
be constructed. The battery Johnson, mounting ten guns, 



102 



A HISTORY OP THE 



situated at Smithville, with a magazine, is auxiliary to Fort 
Caswell. 

Tlie work of secession spread with such rapidity, that the 
people of the North stood appalled at the devastation it 
was making. No restraint, or efibrt to stay it, was put forth 
by the Government, and the leaders of the movement believed 
that the Federal Government was afraid of its own weakness. 
In this conjecture they perhaps were right, but they had not 
counted upon the strength of the incoming Administration, 
and the strength and ability of the people of the North to 
sustain that Administration. Apparently happy, and rejoicing 
at the dreadful calamity they were preparing for themselves 
and their children, they rushed madly on, dragging one State 
after another into the vortex. 

The State Convention of Mississippi assembled on the 7th 
of January, and on the 9th passed an Ordinance of Secession, 
dissolving all ties with the Federal Government. The reasons 
assigned for separation were about the same as those of South 
Carolina, except a recommendation to other Southern States 
to form a Southern Confederacy. Following the example of 
other States, all the Federal property within her borders was 
seized. 

Following quickly in the wake of Mississippi, Alabama 
passed an act of separation on the 11th, and also recommended 
the organization of a Southern Confederacy. The Federal 
property in this State had been previously seized, by order of 
the Governor. 

On the 11th day of January, one of the most heartless acts 
of cruelty ever witnessed in a civilized community, was per- 
petrated at New Orleans, in the State of Louisiana. Near 
New Orleans is situated the United States Marine Hospital. 
At this time it contained two hundred and sixteen sick and 
feeble patients, who were ordered to be removed. This order 



CIVIL WAR IN THE FNITED STATES. 



103 



was executed, though the weather was very inclement, and 
the patients were helpless. Some of them received shelter 
and protection from citizens whose hearts were not stone, 
while others, more unfortunate and perhaps more helpless, 
were compelled to seek such shelter as the streets and alleys 
of the city afforded. After the removal of the sick, the State 
troops took possession of the property. 

Greneral orders were issued by Governor Moore to seize 
all the Federal property within the State. On the afternoon 
of the iOth, the steamer National, chartered for the purpose, 
lay at the foot of Canal street, New Orleans, and took on 
board the following companies : Crescent City Rifles, Captain 
Grladden, Lieutenant Commanding William A. Metcalf, forty- 
nine men; Washington Artillery, Lieutenant Commanding 
James, seventy-two men ; Second Company Chasseurs-a- 
Pied, Captain S. Meilleur, forty men ; Orleans Cadets, Cap- 
tain Charles D. Dreux, thirty-nine men ; Louisiana Gruard, 
Captain S. M. Todd, Lieutenant Commanding Grirardey, forty- 
five men ; Sarsfield Guard, Captain O'Hara, sixteen men ; 
total, two hundred and sixty-one men. Their destination was 
Baton Rouge, to seize the arsenal. This place was under the 
command of Major Haskins, with two companies of United 
States troops. 

The expedition reached its destination during the night, 
and in the morning demanded a surrender. This the Major 
absolutely refused, and was ready to defend the place. A 
parley, however, was held, and by 12 o'clock the gallant 
Major was surrounded by six hundred State troops. Finding 
it impossible to hold the place, he surrendered at noon, and 
the arsenal, with its arms and munitions, were taken in charge 
by the State troops. 

During the afternoon of the 11th, the steamer Yankee took 
on board the following State troops, under the command of 



104 



A HISTORY OF THE 



Greneral Palfrey: two companies of the Orleans Artillery 
Battalion, under Captains Gromez and Hebrard, total fifty- 
seven men ; First Company of the Chasseurs-a-Pied, Captain 
St. Paul, forty-four men, (this company left a reserve of 
twenty-seven men, to march when called upon ;) Chasseurs 
d'Orleans of 1814-15, fifteen men: the German Yagers, twen- 
ty-three men 5 the Lafayette Gruard, a German , company, 
twenty-seven men. 

This expedition, as will be seen by the following order, was 
for the purpose of seizing the forts near the Gulf. 

INSTRUCTIONS TO MAJOR, PAUL E. THEARD. 

You will proceed with your detachment on board of the 
steamboat' Yankee, and go down to Forts St. Philip and Jack- 
son, where you will demand of the persons in charge of the 
forts to surrender them ; and you will take possession of the 
same in the name of the State of Louisiana. Haul down the 
United States flag, if floating there, and hoist the Pelican flag 
from Fort Jackson. Place Captain St. Paul, with the first 
company of Chasseurs-a-Pied, in possession of Fort St. Philip, 
and take possession of Fort Jackson with the balance of the 
detachment. You will hold the forts, and defend them against 
any and all attacks, to the last. Strict discipline and order 
must be exacted by you. 

By order of his Excellency, Thomas 0. Moore, Governor 
of the State of Louisiana. 

M. Grivot, Adjutant General. 

Later in the afternoon a third expedition left the city, for 
the purpose of capturing Fort Pike, at the Bigolets, or outlet 
of Lake Poutchartrain. All the forts, and the arsenal, were 
captured without firing a gun ; a triumph that gave the seces- 
sion cause a formidable impetus. 

The Florida Convention passed an Ordinance of Secession 
on the 12th of January. On the same day Major Chase, of 
Alabama, who had command of the Alabama State troops at 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



105 



Pensacola, numbering about four hundred men, made a demand 
on Commodore Armstrong, the Federal commander, for the 
unconditional surrender of the Navy Yard. The Commodore 
had under his command about sixty men, three-fourths of 
whom, he believed, were rabid secessionists. Believing him- 
self unable to defend the place with his small force, he sur- 
rendered to Major Chase, Lieutenant Sanders, a bearer of 
dispatches to Commodore Armstrong from the Federal Grovern- 
ment, had arrived at Pensacola. The dispatches were de- 
manded of him by the Major, but the Lieutenant refused to 
give them up. He was then informed they would be taken by 
force, to which he replied it would be a declaration of war. 
He was then conducted to the Navy Yard, and perceiving 
that Commodore Armstrong had already surrendered, he deli- 
vered up his dispatches. The officers and men who desired to 
return to the North, were released on parole. 

At the time of the surrender of the Navy Yard, Lieutenant 
Slemmer had command of Fort McRae, Fort Pickens and 
Fort Barrancas. The command of Lieutenant Slemmer was 
small, only amounting to about eighty men. Perceiving the 
unpleasant state of affairs, and fearing a surprise by vastly 
superior numbers, the gallant Lieutenant withdrew to Fort 
Pickens. His position there was impregnable, and the fort 
was so situated that it could be easily reinforced. 

This act was hailed with joy in the North, and was like a 
pleasant gleam of sunshine piercing the national gloom. It gave 
undeniable proof that there were patriotic soldiers who only 
waited for a word of encouragement from their superior officers, 
to strike a heavy blow for the honor and preservation of their 
country and their homes. 
5* 



106 



A HISTORY OF THE 



PENSACOLA AND ITS FORTIFICATIONS. 
PENSACOLA BAY. 

Pensacola Bay has rare properties as a harbor. It is now 
accessible to frigates. The bar is near the coast, and the 
channel across it short and gasily passed. The harbor is 
perfectly land-locked, and the roadstead very capacious. 
There are excellent positions within for repairing, building 
and launching vessels, and for docks and dockyards in healthy 
situations. The supply of good water is abundant. These 
properties, in connection with the position of the harbor, as 
regards the coast, have induced the Government to select it 
as a naval station, and a place of rendezvous and repair. 
The upper arms of Pensacola Bay receive the Yellow Water 
or Pea river. Middle river and Escambia river, eleven miles 
from the Grulf. 

SANTA ROSA ISLAND. 

Santa Kosa Island is situated east by north-west by south 
fourteen leagues, and completely shuts out Pensacola from the 
sea. It is so low that the sea in a gale washes its top ; it is 
not more than one-fourth of a mile wide. The west point of 
this island is at the mouth of Pensacola Bay. The latter is 
not over one and a quarter miles wide. 

FORT PICKENS. 

The principal means of defense to the mouth of Pensacola 
Bay and the naval station is Fort Pickens. This fort is a 
first-class bastioned fort, built of New York granite, and 
situated on low ground on the east point of Santa Rosa Island. 
Its walls are forty-five feet in height, by twelve feet in thick- 
ness ; it is embrasured for two tiers, of guns, which are placed 
under bomb-proof casemates, besides having one tier of guns 
en barbette. The guns from this work radiate to every point 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 107 

of the horizon, with flank and enfilading fire at every angle of 
approach. The work was commenced in 1828, and finished in 
1853. It cost the Federal G-overnment nearly one million of 
dollars. When on a war footing, its garrison consists of twelve 
hundred and sixty soldiers. Its armament, only a portion of 
which is within its walls, consists of :— 

GUNS. 



Forty-two-ponnder iron guns 63 

Thirty-two-pounder iron guns.. 17 

Twenty-four-pounder iron guns 49 

Eighteen-pounder iron guns 5 

Twelve-pounder iron guns 13 

Brass field pieces ^ 6 

Brass flank howitzers 26 

Heavy eight-inch howitzers 13 

Thirteen-inch mortar 1 

Heavy ten-inch mortars , 4 

Light eight-inch mortars 4 

Sixteen-inch stone mortars , 4 

Coehorn mortars 5 

Total armament 210 



The fire from this work completely covers the Navy Yard. 
The bar on the exterior of the bay is three miles distant, and 
beyond that there are no facilities for a hostile fleet to lie in 
safety. 

FORT M'rAE. 

This fortification is situated on Foster's Bank, and guards 
the west side of the mouth of Pensacola Bay. It is a bas- 
tioned fort, built of brick masonry, with walls twelve feet in 
thickness. It is embrasured for two tiers of guns, under 
bomb-proof casemates, and has one tier en barbette. Its 



108 



A HISTORY OF TIO] 



armament consists of 150 guns, and in time of war requires a 
garrison of six hundred and fifty men. The work cost the 
Federal Grovernment about ^400,000. Its guns radiate at 
every point of the horizon. It is a very effective work. The 
full armament of the fort is not complete, but a sufficient 
number of guns are in battery to make a very good defense in 
conjunction with Fort Pickens. Below this fort is a water 
battery, which mounts some eight or ten guns. The interior 
of Fort McRae is provided with the necessary shot furnaces, 
officers' and soldiers' quarters, magazines, &c. 

FORT BARRANCAS 

is on the north of Pensacola Bay, and directly fronting the 
entrance to its mouth. The work is erected on the site of an 
old Spanish fort. The fort is a bastioned work, built of heavy 
masonry, and mounts forty-nine guns, and in time of war 
requires a garrison of two hundred and fifty men. The 
armament of the work is fully mounted, and its magazines are 
in good order. In the rear of the fort is a redoubt, which is 
auxiliary to Fort Barrancas. Some extensive repairs have 
recently been completed on this redoubt, and the flanking 
howitzers of scarp and counterscarp can be mounted with very 
little labor. 

FORTS ON THE FLORIDA REEFS. 
FORT CLINCH, AMELIA ISLAND, FLORIDA. 

During the past year, the east, south and south-west bastions 
have been built to the springing of the gun-room arches ; the 
curtain walls connecting them have been carried to the refe- 
rence of the loop-holes ; all the galleries have been finished 
with the exception of esphalting their roof surfaces and placing 
the door and widow frames ; the gateway foundations of piers 
of sink gallery have also been laid ] two lumber sheds and 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



109 



service magazines of north bastion have been completed. 
Barbette platforms for the north and north-west bastions have 
been procured, and a large amount of materials accumulated 
for the working season. With the funds now in hand it is 
proposed to complete the masonry of the enceinte, and as far 
as practicable, the embankment of the rampart ; to put the 
ramparts of the two channel fronts in condition to receive 
their armament ; to pave all the bastions in order to provide 
the flank of defense, and to put down the barbette platforms 
of the bastions bearing on the channels. 

Assuming that the funds on hand are sufficient for the 
purposes described, to complete the work, there remain the 
embankment of the unfinished portions of land front, ramparts, 
breast-height walls, barbette platforms, excavation of ditch, 
embankment of counterscarp and covered way, breast-height, 
glacis, quarters, workshops and storehouse. 

An appropriation of $100,000 is estimated by the officer in 
charge to be sufficient for the operations stated. This amount 
will suffice to make the work susceptible of occupation and 
defense, if not to complete it in detail, but it is necessary to 
reduce the sum in the estimate presented. 

FORT TAYLOR, KEY WEST, FLORIDA. 

The year's operations have been chiefly directed towards the 
completion of the barbette tier and the third story of the 
soldiers' quarters. The earth filling of the entire parapet has 
been gathered and put in place, and the concrete covering laid 
from breast-height to scarp, formed around the circuit of the 
castle. The main arch roofs of the whole work have been 
asphalted, and the drainage brick courses, the lead flashings, 
the gutter arches and the manholes have all been completed 
within the season. The earth filling of the terreplein has 
been gathered and placed, and the concrete foundations (2' thick) 



110 



A HISTORY OF THE 



for all the Columbiad platforms (forty-six) have been formed. 
The walls and chimneys of the soldiers' quarters have been 
completed, all above the second floor forming part of the 
season's work. The masonry of the postern has been finished, 
and the main magazine and hall floor have been concreted. A 
section of the quarters has been put under roof, and some of 
the third story rooms plastered and partly finished. The roads 
for hauling materials have been extended and repaired, and a 
quantity of stone gathered and broken for concrete, to be used 
in the cover face. 

The appropriation of $70,000 for 1860-61, will be divided 
between finishing the castle and building the inclosing walls, 
and filling the inclosure of the coverface. This will provide 
for mounting the entire armament of the castle, and for 
inclosing the soldiers' quarters, besides plastering, and some 
other parts of the inside finish. It will also make an effective 
beginning to the coverface. 

The operations for the year 1861-62 should be directed to 
completing the castle, to building the balance of the inclosing 
or sea wall of the coverface, to filling this inclosure with earth, 
the starting the piers and arches of the coverface, gun and 
store casemates, and to building the permanent wharf and 
bridge. For these objects the sum of $150,000 is asked by 
the officer in charge, but this amount is necessarily reduced in 
the estimates presented. 

FORT JEFFERSON; GARDEN KEY, TORTUGAS, FLORIDA. 

During the year, one hundred and ten of the upper casemate 
arches have been formed, and the remaining thirty-six will 
soon be completed ; the scarp wall has been raised from thirty 
to thirty-two and one-half feet above low water, and several 
small magazines have been fitted up. 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



Ill 



The work may now be regarded as capable of making some 
defense, thougb it is in an incomplete condition. 

Below we present a table of the location, number of guns 
and cost of the forts seized by the Southern States, and held 
by their troops : — 



Fortifications. 



Location. 



Guns 



Cost of Con- 
struction and 
Repairs. 



Cost of Ar- 
mament. 



Fort Pulaski, 
Fort Jackson, 
Fort Morgan, 
Fort Gaines, 
Fort Macon, 
Fort Caswell, 
Fort Moultrie, 
Castle Pinckney, 
Fort St. Philip, 
Fort Jackson, . 
Fort Pike, . . 



Savannah, . 
Savannah, . 
Mobile, . 
Mobile, . . 
Beaufort, C 
Oak Island, N. 
Charleston, . 
Charleston, . 
Louisiana, . 
Louisiana, . 
Louisiana, . 



150 
14 

132 
89 
61 
87 
54 
25 
124 
150 
49 



$923,859 
125,000 
1,212,556 
20,000 
460,000 
571,221 
75,301 
48.809 
203.734 
817,608 
472,001 



$138,032 
11,830 
104,475 
66,473 
48,920 
72,711 
48,732 
23,906 
101,980 
123,669 
36,520 



Total, 935| $4,925,089 $777,248 

Total cost of the above eleven fortifications, . $5,702,337 



On the 15th of January, the Secretary of War, in compli- 
ance with a resolution asking information relative to the 
removal of the public arms from the Northern States, submitted 
the following communication from the Ordnance Office : — 

Ordnance Office, Washington, Jan. 15, 1861. 

Hon. J. Holt, Secretary of War : 

Sir — I have the honor to acknowledge the reference of a 
letter from the Hon. B. Stanton, asking for a statement of the 
distribution of arms from the armories to the arsenals and 
other places of deposit for safe keeping, from the 1st of Janu- 
ary, 1860, to that of January 1, 1861, &c. 

In compliance with your directions, I have the honor to 
report that on the 30th day of December, 1859, an order was 
received from the War Department, directing the transfer of 
one hundred and fifteen thousand muskets from the Spring- 
field, Mass., and Watervliet, N. Y., arsenals, to different 
arsenals at the South. Orders were given, in obedience to 
6 



112 



A HISTORY OF THE 



these instructions, on the 30th of May, 1860, and the arms 
were removed, during the past spring, from and to the places, 
as follows : 

From Springfield armory, sixty-five thousand percussion 
muskets, calibre sixty-nine hundredths of an inch. 

From Watertown arsenal, six thousand percussion rifles, 
calibre fifty-four hundredths of an inch. 

From Watervliet arsenal, four thousand percussion rifles, 
calibre fifty-four hundredths of an inch. 

Of which there were sent as follows : 

Percussion Muskets. Alt'd Muskets. P. Rifles. 

Charleston, (S. C) arsenal 9,280 5,720 2,000 

North Carolina arsenal 15,408 9,520 2,000 

Augusta, (Oa.,) arsenal , . 12,380 7,620 2,000 

Mount Vernon, Ala 9,280 5,720 2,000 

Baton Rouge, La 18,520 11,420 2,000 

The arms thus transferred which were at the Charleston 
arsenal, the Mount Vernon arsenal and the Baton Bouge 
arsenal, have been seized by the authorities of the several 
States of South Carolina, Alabama and Louisiana, and are no 
longer in possession of the Ordnance Department. Those 
stored at Augusta arsenal and at North Carolina, are still in 
charge of officers of this department. 

In addition to the foregoing, there have been transfers from 
the armories to difl'erent arsenals, as the exigencies of the 
service demanded, for immediate issues to the army and to 
the States, under the act of April, 231,808, and which I infer 
are not intended to be. embraced in the call of the House of 
Bepresentatives. 

H. K. Craig, Colonel of Ordnance. 

It will be seen, from the above report, that one hundred 
and fifteen thousand stand of arms were ordered, on the 30th 
day of December, 1859, to be distributed to the Southern 
States. These arms were so deposited, that when the arrange- 
ments for the secession of the Slave States were complete, they 
could be easily seized and used against the Federal Govern- 
ment. The seizure of the arms commenced on the 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



113 



December, 1860, and by the first of February, the entire 
amount of arms were in the hands of the secessionists. Ac- 
companying the arms was an immense amount of ammunition 
and ordnance stores. 

The value of the Federal property seized by the Southern 
States would reach many millions of dollars. The forts alone 
would amount to perhaps six millions, beside the custom 
houses and other property. How it was managed that this 
property fell so easy a prey to the disloyal States, can be 
more easily conjectured than explained. 



114 



A HISTORY OF THE 



CHAPTER X. 

SECESSION OF GEORGIA, LOUISIANA, AND TEXAS — INAUGURAL 
ADDRESS OF JEFFERSON DAVIS. 

On the 19tli day of January, Greorgia passed an Ordinance 
3f Secession, and declared her connection with the Federal 
Government dissolved. There was much opposition to the 
secession of the State, and in the Convention a strong Union 
feeling prevailed. The day before the act of separation was 
adopted, resolutions were introduced to ascertain the state of 
the Convention. The resolutions declared — first, it was the 
right and duty of Georgia to secede ; and, second, appointing 
a Committee of Seventeen, to report an Ordinance of Secession. 
The resolutions were passed by a small majority — yeas, 165 ; 
nays, 130. 

The ordinance of separation was passed with some difficulty, 
and on the 21st the Convention was compelled to pass the 
following preamble and resolution, to compel the dissenting 
members to sign it : 

Whereas, The lack of unanimity in the action of this Con- 
vention on the passage of the Ordinance of Secession indicates 
a difference of opinion existing amongst the members of this 
Convention, which is owing, not so much as to the rights which 
Georgia claims or the wrongs of which she complains, as it is 
to the remedy and its application before resorting to other 
means of redress ; 

And whereas, It is desirable to give expression to the inten- 
tion which really exists among all the members of this Conven- 
tion to sustain the State in the course of action which she has 
pronounced to be proper for the occasion ; therefore 

Resolved, That all the members of this Convention, includ- 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



115 



ing those who voted against the ordinance, as well as those 
who voted for it, will sign the same as a pledge of the unani- 
mous declaration of this Convention to sustain and defend the 
State in her course, and remedy with all its responsibilities 
and consequences, without regard to individual approval or 
disapproval of the adoption of the ordinance. 

It is evident from the nature of this coercive measure, that 
there were loyal men in that Convention, but were compelled 
to succumb to the majority. There can be but little doubt, 
that had the Federal Government at that time, by some 
determined and well-directed act, gave the Union sentiment 
in Georgia and North Carolina a ray of hope, the South would 
have been divided against itself. But the power that should 
have sustained them, suffered the Union to crumble to pieces, 
and buried those true hearts beneath its fall. 

The State of Louisiana passed an ordinance of separation 
on the 28th, and almost immediately following it, Captain 
Breshwood, a Virginian, surrendered the revenue cutter 
McClellan to the State. On the 31st the United States 
Branch Mint was seized, and $511,000 captured by the State 
authorities. The seizure of the public property continued to 
be one of the principal objects of the secessionists, aided by 
disloyal officers in charge of it. 

Texas seceded on the 1st of February, and the day follow- 
ing. Captain Morrison, a Georgian, in command of the revenue 
cutter Cass, then laying in Mobile Bay, surrendered it to the 
authorities of the State of Alabama. 

By the 6th of February, enough of the Southern States 
had seceded, to warrant the calling of a Convention to form a 
Southern Confederacy. On that day the delegates met in 
Convention, at Montgomery, Alabama, and, after a session of 
three days, Jefferson Davis, of Mississippi, was elected Pro- 
visional President, and Alexander H. Stephens, of Georgia, 
was elected Vice-President, by a unanimous vote. A Pro- 



116 



A HISTORY OF THE 



visional Constitution had been previously adopted, and in 
many respects it was nothing more than a copy of the Federal 
Constitution. 

On the 18th day of February, Jefferson Davis was inaugu- 
rated at Montgomery, Alabama, as President of the Confede- 
rated States of America. It was a great holiday and festive 
occasion for the inhabitants of Montgomery, and perhaps the 
most important day that city ever witnessed. Mr. Davis 
followed the fashion of the Federal President, and delivered 
an inaugural address to the gaping and excited crowd. 

Mr. Davis commenced his address with an humble distrust of 
his ability to discharge the duties of his office, and relying 
upon the virtue and patriotism of the people to sustain him. 
He says : 

" / enter upon the duties of the office to which I have 
been chosen, with hope that the beginning of our career as a 
Confederacy may not be obstructed by hostile opposition to our 
enjoyment of the separate existence and independence which 
we have asserted, and which, with the blessing of Providence, 
we intend to maintain. Our present condition, achieved in a 
manner unprecedented in the history of nations, illustrates 
the American idea that governments rest upon the consent of 
the governed, and that it is right for the people to alter and 
abolish governments whenever they become destructive to the 
ends for which they were established." 

It is a fact beyond dispute, that the secession of the 
Soulhern States, and the successful organization of a Confede- 
racy, almost under the shadow of the Federal Capital, is a feat 
unparalleled in the history of nations. This fact is made a 
subject of special regard in the address, and from its very tone 
indicates some fear of opposition from the Federal Grovern- 
ment. The dearest object, however, of the project had 
been peaceably accomplished, and a Southern Confederacy 
had been actually and positively established. Men in the 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



117 



Soutli who, before this era, had been loyal, now forgot their 
lojaltj, and under the influence of the novelty of thing, they 
joined in the movement. They had looked upon the Federal 
Government with pride and admiration, and loved the name 
of American citizen. Insults and wrongs upon the flag had 
been met with prompt attention, and the rights of the 
American citizen protected in every land, and respected by all 
nations. When the Federal flag was fired upon at Charleston, 
the people at the South as well as the North stood appaled at 
the atrocity of the act, and the guns at Fort Sumter were 
expected to belch forth an iron punishment upon the insulters. 
But the act was quietly passed over, and the Federal Grovern- 
ment humbled in the dust. By this silence thousands of men 
who cherished a feeling of patriotism and love for the Union, 
turned in disgust from its weakness, and joined with that 
which seemed to possess life and energy. This was but a 
natural consequence, and has ever been the character of man. 

The Federal Grovernment excused this lukewarmness, upon 
the plea that it did not wish to inaugurate civil war. It has 
ever been a settled policy in all governments, that the ^forma- 
tion, within the dominions of any government, of organizations, 
the object of which is to overthrow, or establish a rival 
government, is a declaration of war, and is met by the most 
severe measures, and its originators punished. If the firing 
upon the Federal flag, and the seizure of the Grovernment arms 
and property, were not just cause of war, it would be useless 
to search history for a cause. England, France, Russia, or 
Austria would have hurled upon the originators of a scheme so 
daring, the thunder of their whole military force. 

The position is then taken by Mr. Davis, that the South, as 
an agricultural people, must cherish free trade. That the 
fewest practicable restrictions should be placed upon those of 
whom they would buy, and to whom they would sell. In 



118 



A HISTORY OF THE 



speaking of the Constitution, and the probable admission of 
Northern States into the Southern Confederacy, he says : 

" With a Constitution differing only from that of our fathers 
in so far as it is explanatory of their well-known intent, freed 
from sectional conflicts which have interfered with the pursuit 
of the general welfare, it is not unusual to expect that the 
States from which we have recently parted, may seek to unite 
their fortunes with ours, under the government we have insti- 
tuted. For this your Constitution makes adequate provision : 
but beyond this, if I mistake not, the judgment and will of 
the people are, that union with the States from which they 
have separated is neither practicable nor desirable.^^ 

If (according to Mr. Davis) the Constitution of the United 
States was so well adapted to the government of the Southern 
States, and suited their purpose so well that the Confederate 
Congress immediately adopted it, where the necessity of 
separation ? Was there not beneath all this representation 
of infringement upon the rights of the South, and with which 
the leaders of the movement skilfully and secretly coaxed the 
people to follow them, a political ambition, that reached its 
climax at the inauguration of Mr. Davis, which, in the enthu- 
siasm of the moment, he revealed in a few unguarded words ? 
The caution against the admission of Northern States, was 
perhaps premature and unnecessary. Again he says : 

" Actuated solely by a desire to preserve our own rights 
and to promote our own welfare, the separation of the Con- 
federate States has been marked by no aggression upon others, 
and followed by no domestic convulsion. Our industrial pur- 
suits have received no check, the cultivation of our fields 
progresses as heretofore, and even should we be involved in 
war, there would be no considerable diminution in the produc- 
tion of the staples which have constituted our exports, in 
which the commercial world has an interest scarcely less than 
our own. This common interest of producer and consumer 
can only be intercepted by an exterior force, which should 
obstruct its transmission to foreign markets, a course of con- 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



119 



duct which would be detrimental to manufacturing and com- 
mercial interests abroad. Should reason guide the action of 
the Grovernment from which we have separated, a policy so 
detrimental to the civilized world, the Northern States 
included, could not be dictated by even a stronger desire to 
inflict injury upon us ; but if it be otherwise, a terrible respon- 
sibility will rest upon it, and the suffering of millions will bear 
testimony to the policy and wickedness of our aggressors." 

Mr. Davis must have labored under a great mistake, or, as 
a statesman, been deficient in a knowledge of the country he 
was called upon to govern. That the South at this time was 
in a depressed condition, is a fact beyond dispute, caused by 
the action of South Carolina, and the States which followed 
her. No clearances of vessels could be granted, for under the 
regulations of the States such papers were not recognized by 
any nation. As a consequence, her commerce was paralyzed, 
and quickly following upon this her citizens were financially 
depressed. Laws were passed, in most if not all the Southern 
States, repudiating the payment of debts due in the Northern 
States, which at once destroyed their credit and their honor. 
But that a deeper and more gloomy depression settled upon 
the Southern States, history will record in its proper place. 



120 



A HISTORY OF THE 



CHAPTER XI. 

PARSON BROWNLOW AND GEORGE D. PRENTICE-r-THE INAU- 
GURATION OP MR. LINCOLN. 

On the 18tli of February, General Twiggs, who had command 
of the United States forces at San Antonia, in Texas, after a 
lengthy negotiation, surrendered the Federal property and the 
troops to the State of Texas. He returned to his home in 
Tennessee, accepted a commission under the Confederate 
Grovernment, and took command of a portion of her troops. 

The secession of Tennessee had been contemplated, not- 
withstanding there was a strong opposition. The Union senti- 
ment was kept alive by a few patriots, who fearlessly opposed 
the secessionists, at the risk of life and property. Foremost 
among the men who stood forward and avowed their fidelity to 
the Federal Government, was William G. Brownlow, more 
widely known as Parson Brownlow, of Knoxville, Tennessee, 
editor and proprietor of the Knoxville Whig. He was opposed 
to the principles of the Republican Party, and to the election 
of Mr. Lincoln, but he did not believe that secession was the 
remedy for what the South termed their wrongs. His manner 
of writing was bold and fearless, his articles short, but his 
meaning plain and comprehensive. Shortly after General 
Twiggs had taken command of the Confederate forces, he sent a 
note to Parson Brownlow, who was a clergyman, requesting 
him to accept the position of Chaplain to his Brigade. Parson 
Brownlow published the following reply : 

Knoxville, April 22, 1861. 
Gen. Gideon J. Pillow : — I have just received your mes- 
sage, through Mr. Sale, requesting me to serve as Chaplain to 



4> 




T.S. WAinerMAPMlade 

MAJ. QrEW^ GEO. B.M^ CLELLAN . 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



121 



your Brigade in tlie Soutliern Army ; and in tlie spirit of 
kindness in which this request is made, but in all candor, 1 
return for an answer, that when I shall have made up my 
mind to go to hell, I will cut my throat and go direct^ and 
not travel round by way of the Southern Confederacy. 
I am, very respectfully, &c., 

W. Gr. Erownlow. 

This answer, addressed to the Greneral, was inserted in the 
Knoxville Whig of April 27th, 1861. When every Federal 
flag in the State had been brought down. Parson Brownlow 
kept the Stars and Stripes floating above his house. He was 
threatened, he was menaced, he was cajoled, he was flattered, 
he was coaxed, and bribes were offered him, but no money 
could buy his patriotism, or threats move his loyalty. Amid 
all the storms that howled around him, and all the efforts to 
subdue him, he stood bravely to the work for the Union, and 
condemned secession as a rebellion. 

Another patriot, and one perhaps who saved his State 
from the spoiler, was Greorge D. Prentice, of Louisville, Ken- 
tucky, editor of the Louisville Journal. He is well known as 
a sharp, witty writer, scathing and cutting where a subject is 
distasteful and obnoxious. A patriot at heart, and a lover 
of his country, he turned his pen against its enemies with a 
fearful power. They felt its force : and, chagrined and annoyed 
at the exposure of their evil scheming, they resorted to every 
means to obtain its silence. But Mr. Prentice was not to be 
moved from his loyalty, but continued to ply his lashings to 
his country's enemies. 

It was believed that a deeply laid and well digested plot 
had been concocted by the secessionists, to seize Washington, 
and prevent the inauguration of Mr. Lincoln. By many the 
subject was regarded as a premature and unwarranted alarm, 
for which there was no reasonable or plausible excuse. But 
General Scott, the Coinmander-in-Chief of the Federal forces, 
6 



122 



A HISTORY OF THE 



thought differently ; and, in a manner that proved the wisdom 
and strategical ability of the veteran soldier, he commenced 
the assembling of the Federal troops in and about Washing- 
ton, so secretly and skillfully that it attracted but little atten- 
tion. The entire Federal force in and near Washington, 
amounted to nine hundred aqd eighty-four men. The volun- 
teer force of Washington numbered six hundred, and that 
of Georgetown four hundred, making a total of nineteen hun- 
dred and eighty-four men. 

On Monday, the 11th of February, Mr. Lincoln left Spring- 
field, the place of his residence, in the State of Illinois, for 
the Federal Capitol. His journey was a perfect ovation, and 
clearly exhibited to the President elect, that the people looked 
to him to bring out of the confusion and distrust that sur- 
rounded the Government, a plain, comprehensive, and deter- 
mined policy. They gave the man of their choice every evidence 
of their devotion and patriotism, by receiving him among them 
with every mark of honor and distinction. 

It was the intention of Mr. Lincoln to proceed to Baltimore 
from Philadelphia, by way of Harrisburg, the Capital of Penn- 
sylvania. At the latter place he took part in the ceremonies 
incident to the memorable day — the 22d day of February — it 
being the anniversary of the birth of George Washington. 
The following day he was to proceed to Baltimore, and pub- 
licly pass through that city. Whisperings of assassination 
and violence were rife for some days previous, and it was 
generally believed that his appearance would be the signal for 
an outbreak of the long pent-up feelings of prominent seces- 
sionists. But Mr. Lincoln, through the advice of friends, 
determined to thwart the plot, and save the city from the 
impending disgrace. Late in the evening of the 22d of Feb- 
ruary he entered a special train, prepared for the occasion, 
passed through Philadelphia and Baltimore, and when day 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



123 



dawned on the morning of the 23d, the President elect surprised 
the citizens of Washington by his unexpected appearance 
among them. The good policy of the movement was subse- 
quently proved by the acts of the very citizens who were most 
eager to give him a glorious reception. The suddenness of 
the movement was attributed to General Scott, who, with his 
usual wisdom and foresight, had penetrated to the secret 
designs of the plotters. 

It had been the boast of the secessionists that Mr. Lincoln 
should never be inaugurated as President of the United States. 
Nor were those* threats cautiously or secretly made, but boldly 
and openly avowed. As the day of the inauguration ap- 
proached, there were some misgivings and fears of its success- 
ful accomplishment. To General Scott the people turned as 
a father, and every preparation made by the noble chief for 
the safety and protection of the city, gave a degree of relief, 
and when he announced that the great event would progress 
peaceably and quietly, many were the blessings pronounced 
upon the patriot and the soldier. 

The 4th day of March dawned upon Washington, and soon 
the busy throng filled the streets to overflowing. Troops were 
seen in almost every direction, and so posted that they could 
be easily concentrated at any given point. 

General Scott remained at his head-quarters, and through 
the information brought him by orderlies, who were constantly 
on the move, carefully watched the progress of events, and 
was prepared to meet a disturbance at whatever point it might 
occur. The day was unusually beautiful, the sun shone clear 
and brilliant, and the immense throng enjoyed the pageant 
with marked pleasure and delight. It was estimated that fifty 
thousand people were assembled in front of the stand, where 
the ceremonies took place. At half-past one o'clock, Mr. 
Lincoln commenced the delivery of his inaugural address. 



124 



A HISTORY OF THE 



During its delivery lie was frequently cheered, and more 
especially when patriotic sentences burst upon the ears of the 
people. 

At the conclusion of the address, Chief Justice Taney 
administered the oath of office. The inauguration was peacea- 
bly concluded, and the Capitol of the Federal Government 
preserved from violence. 



CIVIL WAR IN THE XTNITED STATES. 



125 



CHAPTER XII. 

PRESIDENT Lincoln's inaugural address — the bombard- 
ment OF FORT SUMTER. 

% Mr. Lincoln opened his address, briefly stating that he did 
not consider it necessary to address them on matters of 
general administration, and about which there was but little 
anxiety. 

We quote from the address : 

" Apprehension seems to exist among the people of the 
Southern States that, by the accession of a Republican Admi- 
nistration, their property and their peace and personal security 
are to be endangered. There has never been any reasonable 
cause for such apprehension. Indeed, the most ample evidence 
to the contrary has all the while existed and been open to their 
inspection. It is found in nearly all the published speeches 
of him who now addresses you. I do but quote from one of 
those speeches when I declare that * I have no purpose, directly 
or indirectly, to interfere with the institution of slavery in the 
States where it exists ; believe I have no lawful right to do so, 
and I have no inclination to do so.' Those who nominated 
and elected me did so with a full knowledge that I had made 
this and many similar declarations, and had never recanted 
them. And more than this, they placed in the platform for 
my acceptance, and as a law to themselves and to me, the clear 
and emphatic resolution which I now read : 

" * Resolved, That the maintenance inviolate of the rights of 
the States, and especially the right of each State to order and 
control its own domestic institutions according to its own judg- 
ment exclusively, is essential to that balance of power on which 
the perfection and endurance of our political fabric depend, and 
we denounce the lawless invasion by armed force of the soil of 
any State or Territory, no matter under what pretext, as tlie 
gravest of crimes.' 



126 



A HISTORY OF THE 



" I now reiterate these sentiments, and in doing so I only 
press upon the public attention the most conclusive evidence of 
which the case is susceptible, that the property, peace and 
security of no section are to be in anywise endangered by the 
now incoming Administration. I add, too, that all tlie protec- 
tion which, consistently with the Constitution and the laws, 
can be given, will be cheerfully given to all the States, when 
lawfully demanded, for whatever cause, as cheerfully to one 
section as to another." 

It will be seen from the above, that all idea or intention on' 
•the part of the incoming Administration, to interfere with the 
rights of the South, were most emphatically and positively 
denied. He then takes up the clause of the Constitution of 
the United States, upon which all the laws for the rendition of 
fugitives has been based, and boldly affirms that it includes 
fugitive slaves as well. 

A review is taken upon the right of a State to secede, and 
Mr. Lincoln fairly arrives at the conclusion, that such right 
does not exist. He contends that the compact to form the 
Union was freely and willingly entered into, and in forming 
that compact the Union was perfected, and the right of separa- 
tion ceased. He says : 

" But if the destruction of the Union by one or by a part 
only of the States be lawfully possible, the Union is less than 
before, the Constitution having lost the vital element of per- 
petuity. 

It follows from these views that no State, upon its own 
mere motion, can lawfully get out of the Union ; that resolves 
and ordinances to that effect are legally void, and that acts of 
violence within any State or States, against the authority of 
the United States, are insurrectionary or revolutionary, accord- 
ing to circumstances. I therefore consider that, in view of 
the Constitution and the laws, the Union is unbroken, and to 
the extent of my ability I shall take care, as the Constitution 
itself expressly enjoins upon me, that the laws of the Union 
be faithfully executed in all the States. Doing this I deem to 
/ 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 127 

he only a simple duty on my part. I shall perfectly perform 
it, so far as is practicable, unless my rightful masters, the 
American people, shall withhold the requisition, or in some 
authoritative manner direct the contrary. 1 trust this will 
not be regarded as a menace, but only as the declared purpose 
of the Union that it will constitutionally defend and maintain 
itself. 

" In doing this there need be no bloodshed or violence, and 
there shall be none, unless it is forced upon the national 
authority. The power confided to me will be used to hold, 
occupy and possess the property and places belonging to the 
Government, and collect the duties and imposts ; but beyond 
what may be necessary for these objects there will be no 
invasion — no using of force against or amongst the people any- 
where." 

Mr. Lincoln denied all intention or desire to use force, 
unless the necessity was thrust upon the Grovernment. To 
occupy and hold the forts and the United States property, and 
collect the revenues, he gently hinted, but in terms so conclu- 
sive and comprehensive, that the meaning could not be mistaken. 
This was construed in the South as meaning war, and as menac- 
ing and threatening. In the North it was received as a mild 
and conciliatory document, so cautiously and critically drawn, as 
not to commit the incoming Administration. Its general tone 
was regarded as patriotic, and emanating from a n ind that fully 
felt the responsibilities and difficulties incumbering the duties 
of the office just about to be assumed. To the hearts of loyal 
citizens everywhere, it sent a thrill of joy, and banished the 
deep gloom that had settled on the country. They believed 
that the Grovernment would be administered with the utmost 
fidelity, dealing fairly and justly with all sections. 

Immediately after the inauguration, the names of the follow- 
ing gentlemen were sent to the Senate for confirmation, having 
been selected by Mr. Lincoln as members of his Cabinet : 

Secretary of the Treasury, Salmon P. Chase, of Ohio ; 



128 



A HISTORY OF THE 



Secretary of State, William H. Seward, of New York ; 

Secretary of War, Simon Cameron, of Pennsylvania ; 

Secretary of the Navy, Gideon Welles, of Connecticut ; 

Postmaster General, Montgomery Blair, of Maryland ; 

Attorney General, Edward Bates, of Missouri. 

The peaceable and successful inauguration of Mr. Lincoln, 
seemed to inflame the minds of the leaders of secession in the 
South, and their position instantly became more hostile and 
threatening. They easily perceived that beneath all there 
was a determined will to administer the Government fairly and 
justly, but to administer it according to law. They feared 
that the peaceable measures, and the declaration not to inter- 
fere with the institutions of the States, would have the effect 
of pacifying those who were not over enthusiastic in the seces- 
sion cause, and quickly overthrow the grand chimera of a 
Southery Confederacy. It was necessary to operate while the 
excitement existed, and before the people had time to reflect, 
and operate quickly and boldly. South Carolina was the most 
fierce and reckless, and that State was to be plunged first into 
the disgraceful position of opening civil war, and without it the 
leaders clearly saw that it would be impossible to sustain the 
Southern Confederacy. Give the people time to reflect, and 
they would soon discover the weakness and uncertainty of the 
fabric erected at Montgomery. 

During the month of March but little of importance occurred, 
except the surrender of Fort Brown, in Texas, by Captain 
Hill, of the United States Army. On the 6th of March, the 
Confederate Congress passed an act establishing an army of 
the Confederate States. It seemed as if they were watching 
the movements of the Federal Government, and anxiously 
expecting hostilities to commence. But the new Administra- 
tion moved evenly on, regardless of the threats and the uneasy 
position of the Southern Confederacy. But, during this time 
the position of the garrison in Fort Sumter had become more 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 129 

perilous. The supplies that Pdajor Anderson obtained from 
Charleston, were likely to be cut off at any time, and threats 
to that effect were numerous, and of daily occurrence. The 
Grovernment was aware of this, and the condition of the garri- 
son received the attention of the Cabinet. At length the 
steamship Atlantic was chartered by the Grovernment, and, 
with Barry's battery, and troops and provisions for the fort, 
left New York on the 7th of April. The Government imme- 
diately informed the authorities of South Carolina that an 
unarmed vessel would be sent to the relief of Fort Sumter. 
The immediate and emphatic reply was, that the vessel would 
be fired into if she attempted to enter the port of Charleston. 
The Federal Grovernment then determined that the fort should 
be supplied, peaceably, if possible ; if not, by force. 

It was perceivable that matters were approaching a crisis, 
and hostilities would soon commence. The Southern Con- 
federacy had sent Commissioners to Washington to obtain 
the recognition of the Confederate States of America as an 
independent government. For some time they had been 
knocking at the ofiicial quarters of the President for admis- 
sion, but had not been allowed to enter. On the 9th of April 
they made a final demand, and were informed they could not 
enter. Full of wrath, and swearing, by their Government, 
vengeance, they hastily left Washington, and returned to the 
arms of the much-abused Southern Confederacy. This was 
the signal for war, and on the 11th of April, at 2 o'clock, 
Messrs. Chesnut, Chisholm, Roger A. Pryor, and Lee, Aids 
to General Beauregard, were deputed to carry the message of 
Beauregard to Major Anderson, commanding him to evacuate 
Fort Sumter : but the latter emphatically declined obeying the 
command. Later in the afternoon of the 11th, General Beau- 
regard sent a message to Major Anderson, requesting him not 
to fire on the State batteries, and they would not molest him. 
6* 



130 



A HISTORY OF THE 



The Major was determined not to be hurried from the fort, and 
replied that, if not ordered to evacuate, or supplied with provi- 
sions, he would evacuate at noon on the 15th. He was notified 
at half-past 3 o'clock on the morning of the 12th, that the 
batteries would open on the fort in one hour. 

The announcement that hostilities would commence on the 
morning of the 12th, created the most intense excitement in 
the City of Charleston. ' The streets were filled with people 
the whole night, and thousands spent the entire night on the 
tops of houses, determined to see the track of the first shell, 
and hear the booming of the first shot, that should inaugurate 
civil war in the United States. A strange sort of madness 
seemed to have come over the people of Charleston, and in a 
strange sort of frenzy and excitement they watched the 
approaching storm, that was to devastate their homes. There 
was no principle involved in the sacrifice they were about to 
make ; their homes had not been invaded, nor their rights 
infringed or denied them. Had it been to establish freedom, 
and freedom's institutions — to overthrow a usurping and 
tyrannical government, whose encroachings had pinched them 
beyond endurance — their devotion to a cause so noble would 
have been worthy of all commendation. But, on the con- 
trary, they were bound, soul and body, by some incomprehen- 
sible influence, to the wicked and disappointed political dema- 
gogues, who led them blindly on to their own destruction. 

The announcement in the fort, that the State batteries 
would open on it in one hour, was not received with joy and a 
hearty welcome, for the brave garrison were too weak to 
manage the immense armament of the fort with ease, but still 
they did not flinch from the contest. But they were deter- 
mined the Stars and Stripes should not be struck without show- 
ing the enemy that they were resolved to give it the best 
defense their weak condition would admit. Preparations were 
immediately made for action, and, when the one hour had 



CIVIL WAR m THE UNITED STATES. 



131 



expired, far away in tlie black distance there was a bright 
flash, a booming across the waters, and an iron messenger 
from Fort Johnson came hissing through the air, and exploded 
near the fort. Instantly after, the whole horizon was lighted 
up by the flash and glare of seventeen batteries, pouring a 
monstrous flood of shot and shell upon the fort. The garrison 
quietly witnessed this pyrotechnic display, until seven o'clock 
in the morning, when they were divided into the following 
reliefs : the first relief was under Captain Doubleday ; the 
second relief was under Surgeon Crawford ; the third relief 
was under Lieutenant Snyder. 

The fort opened on Cummings' Point battery with two 
thirty-two-pounders and one forty-two-pounder, creating con- 
siderable alarm among the troops. Upon Fort Moultrie and 
the floating battery were opened one forty-two-pounder and 
five thirty-two-pounders. The day before the bombardment, 
a new battery on Sullivan's Island had been unmasked, and 
this, in connection with the floating battery, was very trouble- 
- some. A few rounds were fired from the barbette guns, when 
it was found that the shot and shells came in too thick, and 
the troops were then withdrawn to the casemates on the lower 
tier, these only replying to the enemy's batteries. On Friday 
the barracks caught fire several times, but it was suc- 
cessfully extinguished. During the whole day they replied to 
the enemy's batteries, serving their guns with precision and 
certainty, and creating immense havoc in the enemy's works. 

When night had fairly set in, the firing from the fort ceased, 
but the enemy continued to throw shot and shell at intervals, 
to keep the garrison from obtaining any rest. Early on Satur- 
day morning, the cannonade commenced with renewed vigor 
upon the fort, and again the hot shot set fire to the barracks 
and officers' quarters. The material of which they were con- 
structed was light and inflammable, and the fire spread rapidly. 
It raged with such violence, that the magazine was in great 



132 A HISTORY OF THE 

danger, and ninety barrels of gunpowder were thrown into 
the sea. The men were almost suffocated ; but, by wetting 
their handkerchiefs, and laying flat on the ground, they saved 
themselves. It seemed, too, as if Providence, in its goodness, 
was watching over them ; for when they were in the greatest 
extremity from the heat and smoke, a refreshing breeze came 
to their relief, and drove the smoke out of the fort. 

A second dif&culty arose. The cartridge bags had been 
exhausted, and five men were detailed to manufacture the 
article from shirts and blankets. For a few days previous the 
garrison had been without bread, and had lived almost exclu- 
sively on salt bacon. Though they were in an exhausted con- 
dition, from this circumstance alone, when the bombardment 
began, they stood nobly to the work, and gave the enemies of 
their country to understand that, though almost famished, they 
could strike fiercely for their country and their homes. 

The magazine was surrounded by fire, and their supplies 
cut off, but still they fought on. A shot carried away the 
flag ; but scarcely had it dropped to the ground, when a Mr. 
Hardt, from New York, a volunteer, snatched it up, and, in 
the hottest of the fire, nailed it to the flag-staff. 

When the flames were raging most fiercely in the fort, ex- 
Senator Wigfall, who was serving as an aid on the staff of 
Beauregard, presented himself at one of the port-holes, and 
desired to know if Major Anderson would surrender, as the 
General desired to avoid further bloodshed. The Major gal- 
lantly replied that he would evacuate on his own terms, and 
no other. At half-past 12 o'clock, a second deputation ap- 
proached the fort, and informed the Major his terms were 
accepted, and at fifty-five minutes past 12 o'clock the flag was 
hauled down. The terms of evacuation were most honorable 
to the garrison, and conclusively proved that though they 
were but one hundred strong, they were an e([ual match for 
the eight thousand enemies who surrounded them. 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES, 



133 



CHAPTER XIII, 

EVACUATION OF FORT SUMTER. 

Major Anderson dictated his own terms of evacuation, and 
they were accepted. The garrison were permitted to carry 
away the flag, and salute it with fifty guns, remove all the 
company arms and property, and to have every facility to 
remove the troops to any part of the United States. Such 
terms could never emanate from the conquered, or be accepted 
by the conquerer, how then could the Confederate forces claim 
a victory 1 

Before the bombardment began, Major Anderson proposed 
the same terms, and they were indignantly declined. The 
batteries were opened upon the fort, for what purpose To 
compel the garrison to unconditionally surrender. They were 
determined to gain an absolute victory over the Federal forces, 
and take them prisoners of war. But after a bombardment 
of thirty-four hours, the garrison were still unconquered, and 
ready to fight. The Confederates were defeated, their works 
became untenable, and they were compelled to accept the very 
terms they had refused, thus actually acknowledging their 
weakness and inability to capture the fort. It is a well estab- 
lished maxim, " That the conquerer dictates the terms, and 
the conquered accepts them." 

On Sunday morning, the 14th, the steamer Isabel anchored 
off the fort. The baggage of the garrison was put on board 
the Confederate steamer Clinch, and transferred to the Isabel. 
The garrison were still under arms, and when about to depart, 
a portion were detailed to fire a salute. As the second round 



134 



A HISTORY OF THE 



was being fired, a premature explosion occurredj killing two 
men and wounding four. This was tb.e only casualty tbat 
happened the garrison. During the bombardment, two men 
were wounded, but not seriously, by splinters, caused by a shot 
entering a port-hole. When the last of the fifty guns had been 
fired, the garrison gave three cheers, lowered the flag, and em- 
barked to the tune of " Yankee Doodle," and " Hail to the 
Chief." On Monday the Isabel steamed out of the harbor, and 
the garrison were taken on board the Baltic, and set sail for 
New York,- where they arrived on Thursday, April the 18th. 

The fleet that had been dispatched on the 7th to succor 
the fort, arrived off the entrance during the engagement. 
The Baltic arrived on Friday morning, the Pawnee and Poca- 
hontas on Saturday, but the steam tugs were blown to sea and 
did not reach the harbor. A heavy gale was constantly blow- 
ing, and pre^i^ented the vessels from crossing the bar. 

The Confederates had obtained Fort Sumter, but at a cost 
they were unwilling the world should know. They repre- 
sented that the contest upon their part had been bloodless ; 
but subsequent events proved that many mothers mourned lost 
sons, and many wives looked anxiously for the return of hus- 
bands, who sleep in their graves near Charleston. When 
inquires were made for friends, who were known to have been 
in the engagement, " they had been speedily sent North on 
duty." Fort Moultrie was garrisoned with about one thousand 
men, and its walls were riddled in every direction by the guns 
of Fort Sumter. Shot and shell had entered it, but the report 
was " nobody hurt." Over this the Confederates rejoiced, 
and it was echoed from one to another " nobody hurt," but it 
was accompanied with a query. 

Throughout the South there was the greatest rejoicing over 
the " bloodless victory." Salutes were fired in every town, 
and parades and speeches were abundant. The choler of the 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES^ 135 

chivalry was aroused, and the battle at Charleston seemed 
onl}^ to sharpen their courage, and made them itch to perform 
glorious and thrilling deeds. " To arms ! " was the cry from 
Charleston to New Orleans. They represented that the 
Federal Grovernment had commenced a war of aggression, and 
that the Abolitionists were determined to free their slaves and 
arm them against their masters. Their homes and their fire- 
sides had been invaded, and they were to be subjugated and 
brought beneath the heel of a Northern tyrant. The minds 
of the Southern people were thus inflamed and excited by 
those monstrous stories of the leaders, and without properly 
inquiring into the truth of them, rushed to arms, as they sup- 
posed, to protect and preserve their rights. Laboring under 
the hallucinations caused by misrepresentation, they swelled 
the ranks of the Confederate army to thousands. 

Below we give a few of the news items of the day of the 
bombardment. 

RECEPTION OF THE NEWS IN THE SOUTH. 

Mobile, Ala., April 13. 
The announcement of the surrender of Fort Sumter was 
received with immense cheering by the crowds who have been 
gathering in the vicinity of the newspaper of&ces all day. The 
Confederate and Palmetto flags are flying everywhere. Salutes 
are firing and bells ringing. The people are greatly rejoiced. 

Augusta, Ga., x\pril 13. 
A hundred guns were fired here to-day in honor of the 
victory of the Confederate army. 

Montgomery, Ala., April 13. 
Dispatches from Governor Pickens, to the Secretary of War, 
were read by the clerk of the War Department from the 
Executive buildings during the day in the presence of Presi- 
dent Davis and his Cabinet. They gave rise to general rejoic- 
ing in all circles. Seven guns were fired in honor of the 
surrender of Fort Sumter. 



136 



A HISTORY OF THE 



New Orleans, April 13. 
There was a grand muster of the city volunteer companies 
this morning. Preparations are being made to defend the 
Mississippi river in the best possible manner. 

In the North, the bombardment of Fort Sumter caused one 
single burst of patriotism, that echoed from the Atlantic to 
the Pacific, and from Maine to Maryland and Western Vir- 
ginia. The people rose as from a slumber, and shook oS the 
lethargy that seemed to have possessed them. War had been 
actually commenced 5 their flag had been fired upon, and the 
Government property forcibly seized. They were now ready 
to aid the Grovernment in maintaining its rights, if the Govern- 
ment would firmly sustain itself. In the cities the excitement 
was most intense, and the resolve to root out all disloyal per- 
sons most emphatic. The streets were patroled by men of 
property, integrity and standing in the community, and every 
man made to display his colors. Streets and houses were 
decorated with the Stars and Stripes, and Union badges were 
worn by all classes. Meetings were held in every section of 
the country, and resolutions passed to sustain the Adminis- 
tration. The people at the North felt that they had not 
inaugurated the war — that they were not the aggressors — and 
the sin was not upon their heads. They had oifered terms of 
peace ; they had ofi"ered conciliatory measures, but all had 
been indignantly rejected. It was but the battling of the 
majority to sustain their rights against the aggressions of a 
defeated minority. They turned toward the President they 
had elected, and legally installed into office, as if asking what 
course he would pursue. Was he equal to the crisis that had 
now come upon the country, or would he shrink from the respon 
sibility, and cast it upon the shoulders of Congress, or some 
other branch of the government, equally slow 1 

On Monday, the 15th of April, the people heard a voice 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



137 



from Washington — it was the Presidentj calling upon them 
for seventy-five thousand volunteers, to defend the Capitol 
and the country. Instantly the drum and fife pealed forth 
the stirring martial music, and, as if suddenly changed by some 
magic, the citizen, in a moment, was transformed into a soldier. 
Every vacant hall and room in town and city was opened as 
recruiting stations, and the public squares shut against plea- 
sure seekers, but open as drill grounds for the soldier. There 
was one universal feeling of loyalty — one sentiment only filled 
the hearts of men — " the Union must and shall he preserved J' 
Prayers were offered in the churches, and sermons preached 
from the pulpit, for the preservation of the Union. In the 
public places of amusement the National airs were hailed with 
delight, patriotic songs were loudly encored, the audience 
frequently rising to their feet, and with uncovered heads join- 
ing in the chorus. " The Union forever !" was the watch-word 
that hurried men to arms, and " God speed the good cause,^' 
the parting blessing of wives, mothers, and sisters, and those 
whose grey hairs and crooked limbs prevented them from fol- 
lowing where their hearts were going. The question was not 
asked, "Who will go to defend his country and his fiag 
but every able-bodied man resolved in his heart, " I will go 
A more sublime spectacle the world never witnessed before, 
and a unanimity more perfect would be impossible. 

The proclamation of President Lincoln was received favor- 
ably throughout the North, and positive assurances given the 
Administration of the loyalty of the people, and their firm 
support in the trying crisis. 

BY THE PRESIDENT OE THE UNITED STATES, 
A PROOLAMATIOxY. 
Whereas, The laws of the United States have been for some 
time past, and are now, opposed, and the execution thereof 
obstructed in the States of South Carolina, Greorgia, Ala- 



138 



A HISTORY OF THE 



bama, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas, by com- 
binations too powerful to be suppressed hy the ordinary course 
of judicial proceedings, or by the powers vested in the Mar- 
shals by law. 

Now therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United 
States, in virtue of the power in me vested by the Constitution 
and the laws, have thought fit to call forth, and hereby do call 
forth, the militia of the several States of the Union, to the 
aggregate number of seventy-five thousand, in order to sup- 
press the said combinations, and to cause the laws to be duly 
executed. The details for this object will be immediately 
communicated to the State authorities, through the War 
Department. 

I appeal to all loyal citizens to favor, facilitate, and aid this 
effort to maintain the honor, the integrity and the existence 
of our National Union, and the perpetuity of the popular 
Government, and to redress the wrongs already long enough 
endured. 

I deem it proper to say that the first service assigned to 
the forces hereby called forth, will probably be to repossess 
the forts, places and property which have been seized from 
the Union, and in every event the utmost care will be 
observed, consistently with the objects aforesaid, to avoid any 
devastation, any destruction of, or interference with property, 
or any disturbance of peaceful citizens in any part of the 
country. 

And I hereby command the persons composing the combina- 
tions aforesaid, to disperse, and retire peaceably to their 
respective abodes within twenty days from this date. 

Deeming that the present condition of public affairs presents 
an extraordinary occasion, I do hereby, in virtue of the power 
in me vested by the Constitution, convene both Houses of 
Congress. The Senators and Representatives are therefore 
summoned to assemble, at their respective Chambers, at twelve 
o'clock, noon, on Thursday, the 4th of July next, then and 
there to consider and determine such measures as, in their 
wisdom, the public safety and interest may seem to demand. 

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused 
the seal of the United States to be afiixed. 

Done at the City of Washington, this 15th day of April, in 
the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty- 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



139 



one, and of the independence of the United States, the 
eighty-fifth. 

(Signed) Abraham Lincoln. 

By the President, 

Wm. H. Seward, Secretary of State. 

The following circular was issued from the War Office, and 
directed to the Grovernors of the States, who were required to 
furnish troops : 

War Department, Washington, April, 1861. 

Sir: — Under the act of Congress "for calling forth the 
militia to execute the laws of the Union, suppress insurrections, 
repel invasions," &c., approved February 28th, 1795,1 have the 
honor to request your Excellency to cause to be immediately 
detached from the militia of your State the quota designated 
in the table below, to serve as infantry or riflemen for the 
period of three months, unless sooner discharged. 

Your Excellency will please communicate to me the time at 
or about which your quota will be expected at its rendezvous, 
as it will be met as soon as practicable by an officer or officers 
to muster it into the service and pay of the United States. At 
the same time the oath of fidelity to the United States will be 
administered to every officer and man. 

The mustering officer will be instructed to receive no man, 
.under the rank of commissioned officer, who is in years appa- 
rently over forty-five or under eighteen, or who is not in 
physical strength and vigor. 

TABLE OF quotas. 



states. Total of Officers. Total of Men. Aggregate. 

Maine 37 743 780 

New Hampshire 37 743 780 

Vermont 37 743 780 

Massachusetts 74 1,486 1,560 

Rhode Island 37 743 780 

Connecticut 37 743 780 

New York 649 12,631 13,280 



Carried forward. . . . 908 



17,832 



18,740 



140 A HISTORY OF THE 

Statea. Total of Officers. Total of Men. Aggregate. 

Brought forward 908 17,832 18,740 

Pennsylvania 612 11,888 12,500 

New Jersey 151 2,972 3,123 

Delaware 37 743 780 

Maryland 151 2,972 3,123 

Virginia. Ill 2,229 2,340 

North Carolina 74 1,486 1,560 

Tennessee 74 1,486 1,560 

Arkansas 37 743 780 

Kentucky 151 2,972 3,123 . 

Missouri 151 2,972 3,123 

Illinois 225 4,458 4,683 

Indiana 225 4,458 4,683 

Ohio 494 9,659 10,153 

Michigan 37 743 780 

Wisconsin 37 743 780 

Iowa 37 743 780 

Minnesota 37 743 780 



Total 3,549 69,842 73,391 



The rendezvous for your State will be at . 

I have the honor to be, 

Yei*y respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Simon Cameron, Secretary of War. 

To his Excellency , 

Grovernor of . 

Scarcely was the ink dry on the proclamation calling for 
troops, when the several States passed military bills, appro- 
priating immense sums of money to arm and equip their troops. 
The Pennsylvania Legislature passed a bill arming the State, 
and appropriating f 500,000 for that purpose. New York came 
up to the work with a bill appropriating $3,000,000, and arming 
30,000 troops. The Connecticut State Legislature was not in 
session, and the banks came to the relief of her Governor. The 
Mechanics' Bank, of New Haven, tendered Grovernor Bucking- 
ham $25,000; the Elm City Bank, $50,000; the Fairneld 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



141 



County Bank, f 50,000 ; a private gentleman, f 50,000 ; and 
the Thames Bank, ^100,000. At Concord, New Hampshire, 
the Union Bank tendered $20,000, and each officer of the bank 
contributed f 100 toward the support of the families of volun- 
teers. Massachusetts immediately called her troops into the 
field, and started them off to Washington. Grovernor Sprague, 
of Rhode Island, equipped one thousand troops, and com- 
manded them himself. The Legislature appropriated $500,000 
for military purposes, and paid each of her volunteers twelve 
dollars per month, in advance. The banks, tendered the State 
$235,000. From the above, it will be seen that the people 
were willing to risk everything for the honor, integrity and 
safety of their cherished government. 

The following dispatches were received by the Secretary of 
War, in answer to the demand for troops : — 

Raleigh, April 15, 1861. 
Hon. Simon Cameron, Secretary of War : 

Your dispatch is received, and, if genuine, which its extra- 
ordinary character leads me to doubt, I have to say in reply, 
that I regard the levy of troops made by the Administration, 
for the purpose of subjugating the States of the South, as in 
violation of the Constitution, and a usurpation of power. I 
can be no party to this wicked violation of the laws of the 
country, and to this war upon the liberties of a free people. * 
You can get no troops from North Carolina. I will reply 
more in detail when your call is received by mail. 

John W. Ellis, Governor of Xorth Carolina. 

Frankfort, April 16, 1861. 
Hon. Simon Cameron, Secretary of War : 

Your dispatch is received. In answer, I say emphatically, 
that Kentucky will furnish no troops for the wicked purpose 
of subduing her sister Southern States. 

B. Magoffin, Governor of Kentucky. 

Grovernor Jackson, of Missouri, answered the Secretary of 
War that " His requisition was illegal, unconstitutional, revo- ^ 



142 



A HISTORY OF THE 



lutionary, diabolical, and cannot be complied with." Governor 
Harris, of Tennessee, replied he would not furnish troops for 
"coercion." While the Hon. John Bell, of the same State, 
who had been the Union candidate at the late Presidential 
election, recommended the people to maintain a position of 
independence toward both North and South. 

The South was already armed, with thousands of men in 
the field, a feat she accomplished while the North was quietly 
looking to the Federal Government to place itself in a state 
of defense. But the people were, nevertheless, ready in heart, 
and it required but little drilling to make them good soldiers. 
The two sections were now in a position for war, and bloody 
and perilous days were looked forward to with sad fore- 
bodings; but no fears as to the success of the war for the 
Union. 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



143 



CHAPTER XIV. 

DESTRUCTION OF NORFOLK NAVY YARD AND HARPER'S 
FERRY ARMORY. 

The day following tlie proclamation of President Lincoln, 
Tuesday, 16th of April, the Ringgold Flying Artillery, of 
Reading, Pennsylvania, Captain James McKnight, with one 
hundred and eighty men and four field-pieces, were on their 
way to Washington ; being the first troops in the field under 
the call of the President. 

The Convention of the State of Virginia had passed, in 
secret session, an Ordinance of Secession, and pledged herself 
to the Southern Confederacy. To this act, however, the 
western portion of the State refused to consent, and the citizens 
ca,lled a Convention to meet at Wheeling, and organize a sepa- 
rate State Grovernment, and apply for admission as such into 
the Federal Union. Her people were loyal and patriotic, and 
when the Convention assembled, thirty-six counties were repre- 
sented. After pursuing a calm and deliberate course, giving 
the people time to think and act with care and prudence, a 
Provisional Grovernment was established, and recognized by 
the Administration. She also sent into the field many of her 
brave sons to defend the Union their forefathers had assisted 
to establish. 

On the 17th of April, Grovernor Letcher, of Virginia, issued 
the following proclamation : — 

BY THE GOVERNOR OF VIRGINIA. 
A PROCLAMATION. 

Richmond, Va. 
Whereas, Seven of the States formerly composing a part of 
Ihe United States, have, by authority of their people, solemnly 



144 



A HISTORY or THE 



resumed the powers granted by them to the United States, and 
liave framed a Constitution and organized a Government for 
themselves, to which the people of those States are yielding 
willing obedience, and have so notified the President of the 
United States by all formalities incident to such action, and 
thereby become to the United States a separate, independent, 
and foreign power. 

And, whereas, The Constitution of the United States has 
invested Congress with the sole power to declare war, and until 
such declaration is made, the President has no authority to call 
for an extraordinary force to wage offensive war against any 
foreign power ; and, whereas, on the 15th inst., the President of 
tihe United States, in plain violation of the Constitution, issued 
a proclamation calling for a force of seventy-five thousand men, 
to cause the laws of the United States to be duly executed 
over a people who are no longer a part of the Union, and in 
said proclamation threatens to exert this unusual force to 
compel obedience to his mandates ; and, whereas, the General 
Assembly of Virginia, by a majority approaching to entire 
unanimity, declared at its last session that the State of Virginia 
would consider such an exertion of force as a virtual declara- 
tion of war, to be resisted by all the power at the command of 
Virginia ; and, subsequently, the Convention now in session, 
representing the sovereignty of this State, has re-affirmed in 
substance the same policy, with almost equal unanimity ; and, 
whereas, the State of Virginia deeply sympathizes with the 
Southern States in the wrongs they have sufi'ered, and in the 
position they have assumed : and having made earnest efforts 
peaceably to compose the differences which have severed the 
Union, and having failed in that attempt, through this unwar- 
ranted act on the part of the President ; and it is believed 
that the influences which operate to produce this proclamation 
against the seceded States, will be brought to bear upon this 
Commonwealth, if she should exercise her undoubted right to 
resume the powers granted by her people, and it is due to the 
honor of Virginia that an improper exercise of force against 
her people should be repelled : Therefore, I, John Letcher, 
Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, have thought 
proper to order all armed volunteer regiments or companies 
within this State forthwith to hold themselves in readiness for 
immediate orders, and upon the reception of this proclamation 



CIVIL VrAR IN THE UNITED STATER. 145 

to report to the Adjutant-General of tlie State their organiza- 
tion and numbers, and prepare themselves for efficient service. 
Such companies as are not armed and equipped will report 
that fact, that they may be properly supplied. 

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set niy hand, and caused 
the seal of the Commonwealth to be affixed, this 17th day of 
April, 1861, and in the eighty-fifth year of the Commonwealth. 

John Letcher. 

The militia of the eastern portion of the State of Virginia* 
began to assemble, under the proclamation of Governor 
Letcher, and preparations were making to seize several 
important points in the State. At Harper's Ferry the 
Government had an extensive armory, in which about two 
hundred and fifty operatives were constantly employed. The 
Arsenal at this place usually contained from eighty to one 
hundred thousand stand of arms, and to obtain these the 
Governor was extremely anxious. On the 18th of April, 
Lieutenant Jones, of the United States army, was in command 
of the place, with forty-three men. Fearing he would be 
surrounded, and all means of escape cut off, and not being 
able to successfully defend his position, he destroyed the 
munitions of war, burnt the Arsenal and work-shops, with 
fifteen thousand stand of arms, and retreated into Pennsyl- 
vania. Shortly after he had abandoned the place, it was 
occupied by the Virginia militia. 

A strong effort had been made to force Maryland from the 
Federal Union, but every attempt had failed. Now that thu 
Federal Capitol was in danger, it was necessary that troops 
should pass through Baltimore, as the shortest and most 
speedy route to reach the desired point. The Massachusetts 
Sixth Regiment, and a Pennsylvania Regiment, unarmed and 
without uniforms, were the first regiments in the field, and on 
their way to Washington. 

At 3 o'clock on Friday morning, the Massachusetts Volun- 
7 



146 



A HISTORY OF THE 



teers and the Pennsylvania Regiment, under Col. Small, left tlie 
depot, at Broad and Prime streets, Philadelpiiia, in thirty-sis: 
cars, for Baltimore, at which place they arrived safely at half 
past 10 o'clock, without any detention. A large crowd had 
assembled, evidently to give them an unwelcome reception. The 
arrangements contemplated the passage of thirty-six cars, 
occupied by the volunteers, from President street depot to the 
Camden station of the Baltimore and Ohio Kailroad, over the 
intervening space occupied by the President street track. 

The cars were dispatched one after the other by horses, and 
upon the arrival of the first car at the intersection of Gay and 
Pratt streets, a vast assemblage having collected there, demon- 
strations were made which evidently contemplated the stopping 
of the troops at that point. Just there repairs of the road 
were in progress, and a number of paving stones were lying 
in heaps, which were seized by the crowd and used for pur- 
poses of assault. 

Ten of the cars containing the Massachusetts volunteers 
had succeeded in passing on their way before the crowd were 
able to accomplish their purpose of barricading the track, which 
they now began to effect by placing large heavy anchors lying 
in the vicinity directly across the rails. Some seven or eight 
were borne by the crowd and laid on the track, and thus the 
passage of the cars was effectually interrupted. 

Having accomplished this object, the crowd set to lustily 
cheering for the South, for Jefferson Davis, South Carolina 
and secession, and groans for sundry obnoxious parties. In 
the meanwhile, the troops thus delayed at the depot remained 
quietly in the cars, until tired of their inaction, and appre- 
hending a more formidable demonstration, they came . to the 
conclusion to face the music and march through the city. 

They accordingly evacuated the cars, and rapidly gathering 
on the street north of the depot, formed in line, and prepared 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 147 

to make the attempt. The word was given to " march," and 
the head of the line had advanced some fifteen paces, when it 
was driven back upon the main body by the immense crowd, 
still further increased by a body of men who marched down 
to the depot, bearing at their head a Confederate flag. 

Eight of the cars started from the President street depot, 
and passed safely to the Camden station. The ninth started, 
but soon returned, the track having been torn up and obstructed 
at the corner of Pratt and Gay streets. 

After considerable delay it was determined to make the 
attempt to march the troops through the city. There were 
then the contents of twenty-two cars, only sixty of the troops 
were supplied with arms. The remainder were recruits, and 
occupied second-class and baggage cars. 

Just before the movement was made from the cars, a largo 
crowd of persons went down President street with a Southern 
flag, and met the troops as they emerged from the cars. The 
Southern flag was then carried in front of the column, and 
the hooting and yelling began, and as soon as they turned out 
of Canton avenue, they were greeted with a volley of stones. 

At the corner of Fawn street two of the soldiers were struck 
with stones and knocked down ; one of them was taken by the 
police to the drug store of T. J. Pilt, at the corner of Pratt 
and High streets, and the other to the Easterr Police Station. 

The yelling continued, and the stones flew thick and fast. 
At Pratt street bridge a gun was fired, said to have been fired 
from the ranks of the soldiers. Then the crowd pressed 
stronger, until the body reached the corner of Gray street, 
where the troops presented arms and fired. Several persons 
fell on the first round, and the crowd became furious. A 
number of revolvers were used, and their shots took effect in 
the ranks. 

People then ran in every direction in search of arms, but 



148 



A HISTORY OF THE 



the armories of tlie military companies of the city were closely 
guarded, and none could be obtained. The firing continued 
from Frederick street to South street in quick succession. 

At the corner of Howard and Dover streets, the troops in 
the cars fired a volley at the citizens on the corner, and several 
were wounded, but their names could not be ascertained. The 
troops' embarked at the Camden station, and the crowd, many 
thousands in number, set out in a run along the railroad track 
of the Washington branch, obstructing the track as they went 
with great logs and blocks of marble. The police followed, 
removing the obstructions. 

When it was ascertained the train would start for Washing- 
ton with the Massachusetts regiment, a crowd started at a 
full run, to obstruct the road. Their purpose, however, was 
not accomplished, and the train departed at one o'clock in 
the afternoon, and reached Washington in safety. 

Colonel Small's regiment remained in the cars, but were 
assaulted and roughly treated. Being unarmed, and without 
uniforms, several made their escape into the city, and passed 
out unrecognized : the remainder were compelled to return to 
Philadelphia, where they were afterward regularly armed and 
equipped, and again set out for the seat of war, under more 
auspicious circumstances. 

The following correspondence took place on the day after 
the riot, between the Governor of Massachusetts and the 
Mayor of Baltimore : 

Baltimore, April 20, 1861. 
Hon. John A. Andrew, G-overnor of Massachusetts : 

Sir : — No one deplores the sad events of yesterday, in this 
city, more deeply than myself, but they were inevitable. Our 
people viewed the passage of armed troops to another State 
through the streets, as an invasion of our soil, and could not 
be restrained. The authorities exerted themselves to the best 
of their ability, but with only partial success. Governor Hicks 



CIVIL WAK, IxN THE UNITED STATES. 



149 



was present, and concurs in all my views as to the proceedings 
now necessary for our protection. 

When are these scenes to cease ? Are we to have a war of 
sections ? God forbid I The bodies of the Massachusetts 
soldiers could not be sent to Boston, as you requested. All 
communication between this city and Philadelphia, by railroad, 
and Boston, by steamers, having ceased ; but they have been 
placed in cemented coffins, and will be placed, with proper 
funeral ceremonies, in the mausoleum of Grreen Mount Ceme- 
tery, where they shall be retained until further directions are 
received from jou. The wounded are tenderly cared for. I 
appreciate your offer, but Baltimore will claim it as her right 
to pay all expenses incurred. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Geo. M. Brown, Mayor of Baltimore, 

ANSWER OF GOVERNOR ANDREW. 

To George M. Brown, Mayor of Baltimore : 

Dear Sir : — I appreciate your kind attention to our 
wounded and to our dead, and trust that at the earliest 
moment the remains of our fallen will be returned to us. I 
am overwhelmed with surprise, that the peaceful march of 
American citizens over the common highway, to the defense 
of our common capitol, should be deemed aggressive to Balti- 
moreans. Through New York the march was triumphal. 

John A. Andrew, Governor of Massachusetts. 

Immediately following this attack on the troops, the rail- 
road bridges near Baltimore were burned, and all railroad 
communication with the city cut off. Threats were made 
upon Fort McHenry, but the commander gave the mob to 
understand that the guns would be leveled against the city, 
and a few days after, it was strongly reinforced. The city 
was cut off from all business connections with other parts of 
the country, and her merchants and mechanics felt the pres- 
sure, and a strong reaction immediately took place. 

On the 26th of April, seven days after the attack on the 
Massachusetts troops, the Stars and Stripes were again waving 



150 ' A HISTORY OF THE 

over Butcher's Hill. A grand Union meeting was held on 
the 29th, and mail communication was established by water, 
to Perryville, in Pennsylvania. 

The subject was brought before the State Legislature, and 
a committee was appointed, who, on the 2d of May, reported 
the following resolution, which was passed : 

Resolved, That Otho Scott, Robert M. McLane and Wil- 
liam Gr. Ross be and they are hereby appointed as Commis- 
sioners on the part of the State of Maryland, to communicate 
immediately, in person, with the President of the United 
States, in regard to the present, and any proposed military use 
or occupation of the soil and property of the State by the 
Greneral Grovernment, and they are directed to ascertain and 
report to the Greneral Assembl}^ forthwith, for its considera- 
tion, whether any becoming arrangement with the General 
Grovernment be practicable, in that connection, for the main- 
tenance of the peace and honor of the State, and the security 
of its inhabitants. 

On the 7th of May the committee reported favorably on the 
resolution, having had a long and satisfactory interview with 
the President and Cabinet, and on the 9th the United States 
troops were passing through the City of Baltimore, and Mary- 
land was saved from the fangs of secessionism. 

The Grovernment obtained information that preparations 
were making in Virginia to seize Fortress Monroe, and the 
Gosport Navy Yard, at Norfolk. Seven hundred men from 
Fall River were sent to reinforce the fort, after which it was 
considered safe. But the navy yard shared a worse fate. A 
powerful force of Virginia militia were collecting at Norfolk, 
and the Government was unable to reinforce the place. . It 
was evident, from the hurrying to and fro of the State troops, 
that some important movement was about to take place. It 
was rumored that the Cumberland was about to sail, and pre- 
parations were made to prevent her departure. 

At 12 o'clock an officer from the yard, bearing a flag of 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 151 

truce, was conducted to G-eneral Taliaferro's head quarters, 
at the Atlantic Hotel, where a consultation was held, which 
resulted in a promise from the commandant of the yard, Com- 
modore Macaulay, that none of the vessels should be removed, 
nor a shot fired, except in self-defense This quieted the 
excitement, hut it was renewed at a later hour, when it was 
ascertained that the Germantown and Merrimac had been 
scuttled, and that the heavy shears on the wharf at which the 
Grermantown was lying had been cut away, and allowed to 
fall midships across her decks, carrying away the main top- 
masts and yards. 

It was also perceived that the men were busily engaged in 
destroying and throwing overboard side and email arms, &c., 
and other property, and boats were seen constantly passing 
between the Pennsylvania, Cumberland, and other vessels. 
The assurance of the Commodore, given by his officer at the 
truce interview, however, tendered to allay the apprehension 
of an immediate collision. But the continued stirring move- 
ments at the yard, soon rendered it certain that it was the 
intention of Macauley to destroy all the buildings and other 
property there — and it was, therefore, with not much surprise 
that about midnight, after two or three slight explosions, the 
light of a serious conflagration was observed at the yard. 

This continued to increase, and before daylight the work of 
destruction was extended to the immense ship-houses known 
as A and B, (the former containing the entire frame of the 
New York, 74, which had been on the stocks, unfinished, for 
some thirty-eight years,) and, also, to the long ranges of two- 
story offices and stores on each side of the main gate of the 
yard. The flames and heat from this tremendous mass of 
burning material, was set by a south-west wind directly 
towards the line of vessels moored on the edge of the channel 
opposite the yard, and nearly all of these, too, were speedily 
enveloped in flames. 



152 



A HISTORY OF THE 



The scene at this time was grand and terrific beyond descrip- 
tion. The roar of the conflagration was loud enough to be 
heard at three or four miles distance — and to this were added 
occasional discharges from the heavy guns of the Pennsylvania 
ship-of-the-line, as they became successively heated. These 
guns, it is asserted, were double-shotted and directed at 
different parts of the yard, for the purpose of insuring its 
complete demolishment. This, however, is certain, that if all 
her guns had been thus prepared and directed, the " burnt 
district" could not have been more completely cleared of 
appurtenances. 

As soon as the torch had been successfully applied to the 
ship-houses, the Pawnee, which had been kept under steam 
from the moment of her arrival, about nightfall on Saturday, 
was put in motion, and, taking the Cumberland in tow, retreated 
down the harbor out of the reach of danger. 

The following is a list of the vessels of war destroyed, when 
and where built, tonnage and rate of guns : — 



Names. When and where built. Tonna^^e. Guns. 

Pennsylvania Philadelphia, 1837, 3,241 120 

Columbus Washington, 1^19, 2,480 80 

Delaware Gosport, 1820, 2,633 80 

New York On the stocks, 2,683 84 

United States Philadelphia, 1797, 1,607 50 

Columbia Norfolk, 1836, 1,726 60 

Earitan Philadelphia, 1843, 1,726 50 

Merrimac Charlestown, 1855, 3,200 40 

Plymouth .Charleston, 1843, 989 22 

G-ermantown Philadelphia, 1846, 989 22 

Dolphin Brooklyn, N.Y., 1836, 224 4 



Total 21,398 602 



A portion of the guns in the yard were spiked, but the 
spikes were easily removed by the State troops, and the amount 
of cannon thus secured by the State was very large, and was 
afterward served against the Federal Government. 



CIVIL WAR IN TH£ UNITED STATES. 



153 



CHAPTEE XY. 

OCCUPATION OF VIRGINIA, AND DEATH OP COLONEL ELLS- 
WORTH. 

During the difficulties at Baltimore, the Government sent 
its forces to Annapolis, Maryland, and though there was some 
opposition made by the citizens of the town, no acts of violence 
occurred. The railroad leading to Annapolis Junction was 
taken charge of by the military, and the Federal Grovernment 
proclaimed it a military road. The rolling stock was taken 
in charge, to be used for the transportation of troops. In the 
railroad depot a locomotive was found, but it was so injured as 
to be useless. A call was immediately made on the troops 
for machinists, an engineer and fireman, when a score or more 
of these professions stepped forward from the ranks, and pro- 
ceeded to the depot. One of the machinists, on looking at 
the locomotive, claimed it as an old acquaintance, he having 
been foreman of the shop in which it was constructed. 

This shows the mechanical ability of the army, ready at all 
times to build railroads, bridges, locomotives, and cars, in fact 
make their own shoes, clothing, and hats, build towns, and 
open and cultivate farms, establish courts of law, with judges 
and lawyers from their ranks. Every branch and profession 
in life had its representative — from the classical scholar, with 
his diploma of Bachelor of Arts, down to the uneducated and 
illiterate — side by side they marched, the millionaire with his 
princely income, and the penniless man who from day to day 
labored for the bread to feed his children. Together they 
messed — together they sung their songs of home, and together 
7* 



154 



A HISTORY OF THE 



told their stories of loved-ones left behind. Democrat, Repub- 
lican, Whig, and Unio-n party man shoulder to shoulder — all 
party distinctions buried, all political animosities banished: — 
marched steadily and firmly to the defense and protection of 
the Union. 

In a few days after the occupation of Annapolis, the rail- 
road was repaired, and the troops began to arrive in Wash- 
ington. 

A strong effort was again made to drag the State of Mary- 
land from the Union, but the loyal men in the House of 
Delegates stood firmly to the contest. On the 30th of April 
a vote was taken on an Ordinance of Secession, and it was 
defeated in the House of Delegates, by a vote of 13 ayes, to 
53 nays. This was a Union triumph, and Maryland was 
declared safe. 

The Administration became satisfied that the war would be 
of longer duration than three months, and that it was neces- 
sary to call out troops for a more extended term of service. 
On the 3d of May the President issued a proclamation, calling 
for forty- two thousand and thirty-four volunteers, for a term of 
three years, unless sooner discharged. The regulars were also 
increased, by the addition of ten regiments, making an aggre- 
gate of twenty-two thousand seven hundred and fourteen 
ofl&cers and men. The Navy was increased, by an order to 
enlist eighteen thousand seamen for not less than one nor 
more than three years. 

The army spread out from Washington, and on the 5th of 
May took possession of the Relay House, on the Baltimore 
and Washington Railroad, a short distance from Baltimore. 
This place was fortified, and the railroad well guarded. 
Detachments of troops were collected at this point, and on 
the 13th of May they were moved into Baltimore, under the 
command of General Butler. They took possession of Fede- 
ral Hill, erected their camps, and fortified their position. 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



155 



The secessionists in the State of Missouri, with the 
Governor, Claiborne Jackson, at their head, were deeply 
engaged plotting and manoeuvring to force that State from 
the Union. They had established a camp on the outskirts of 
the city of St. Louis, which was under the command of 
General Frost. At this time General Harney was in command 
of the Western Division of the army. An order was issued 
to Captain Lyon, of the Second Infantry, to break up the 
camp. Taking about one thousand men, he surrounded the 
secessionists, and, without firing a gun, they surrendered ; 
six hundred and twenty-nine men, with all their arms and 
ammunition. Immediately after the capture of the camp, and 
while the secession troops were passing between two files of 
the Federal soldiers, the latter were assaulted with stones, 
when they fired on the mob and killed several persons. When 
the troops marched into the city, they were again assaulted, 
and again fired on the mob, killing twenty-two persons and 
wounding many. From this time Missouri became the seat 
of a fierce and bloody war, and the theatre of several severe 
battles. 

An order for the blockade of the Southern ports had been 
issued, and on the 11th of May, the United States steam 
frigate Niagara took her station off Charleston harbor. South 
Carolina. A proclamation had been issued by the Southern 
Confederacy, granting letters of marque and reprisal, and the 
fitting out of privateers. It was now a question with the 
Federal Government, in what light the European powers 
would view the war. By a treaty, these powers were pre- 
vented from using the privateering system of war. At the 
time it was abolished, the United States were invited to enter 
the treaty, the then ruling Administration declined. The 
Lincoln Administration, desirous of placing itself and the 
country on a sure footing, made a tender of acceptance of the 



N 



156 



A HISTORY OF THE 



terms of the treaty ; but the Grovernment was informed it was 
too late, they could not enter the compact. It was expected 
that England and France would regard the issue in the United 
States as a rebellion, and forbid the privateers under the Con- 
federate flag from entering their ports. But the people were 
surprised when the Queen's proclamation was received, regard- 
ing the Southern Confederacy as a belligerent power. It 
forbid any of the Queen's subjects from entering the service 
of either party, or breaking a blockade, lawfully and effectu- 
ally established. This was the first intimation the Administra- 
tion had of the hostility of England toward the Northern 
States. It was expected from the position she had taken on 
the slavery question, and the utter abhorrence with which she 
pretended to regard the subject, that she would at least have 
acted kindly toward the section fighting to preserve their 
Government, their free institutions, and curb the extension of 
human slavery. She had, perhaps, forgotten the reception 
into her dominions of Fred. Douglass, the fugitive slave, and 
the pampering and feasting of the most violent and bitter 
opposers of slavery who visited her shores. 

France, however, declared that, by an old law, privateers 
could enter her ports, but not remasn over twenty-four hours, 
nor have their claims to prizes adjusted or sold. Of France 
there was but little expected, as it was well known that her 
Emperor always closely watched the tide of affairs, taking care 
he did not plunge so deeply into the stream, that he could not 
reach an eddy from whence he could change his course to suit 
the most advantageous circumstances. 

But so feeble were the efforts of the Southern Confederacy 
to establish a privateer navy, that a few blows from the United 
States cruisers crushed it out of existence. To add to the 
disgrace of the Southern Confederacy, and legally and law- 
fully, so far as it was concerned, establish its pilfering propen- 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



157 



sitios, the Confederate Congress passed a law that the citizens 
of the Confederate Goyernment, who owed debts to Northern 
creditors, should not pay them to the creditor, but the amount 
should be paid into the Confederate treasury. This was dis- 
honoring her citizens, destroying their integrity and credit, 
and damning herself in the estimation of honest men as a 
tyrannical and pilfering usurper. 

The Confederate troops had been for some weeks collecting 
in Virginia, occupying Alexandria, and other points along the 
Potomac, but not venturing sufficiently near Washington to 
endanger it from their guns. Arlington Heights, on the west 
bank of the river, overlooked Washington, and if fortified by 
the enemy could have demolished the city. For some time 
fears were entertained that they would seize this point, and 
quickly fortify it. But a strict watch was kept on their move- 
ments until the Union army was ready to move. At length it 
was announced that the troops were sufficiently drilled, equip- 
ped and organized to advance toward the enemy. When it was 
whispered about that preparations were making, there was joy 
in the camps, and the soldiers, young in arms, and filled with 
enthusiasm, panted to be on the march to meet the foe. 

May the 24th, 1861, was a memorable day in two respects ; 
first, it was the day when the first advance of the Federal 
army was made into Virginia ; second, it was the day on which 
Colonel Elmore Ellsworth was killed in Alexandria, being the 
first victim of the war in that State. 

The troops occupying Washington received orders on the 
22d of May, to hold themselves in readiness to march at a 
moment's notice. Ammunition was furnished, and every pre- 
paration made for a conflict. Nothing definite, however, was 
known as to their destination. 

About ten o'clock on the night of the 28d, four companies 
of picked men moved over the Long Bridge as an advanced 



158 



A HISTORY OF THE 



guard. They were sent to reconnoitre, and if assailed were 
to signal, when tliey would have been reinforced by a corps of 
regular infantry and a battery. The Washington City National 
Bifles, Captain Smead, remained at the terminus until between 
one and two in the morning, acting as an advanced guard. 
These were followed by other district volunteer companies, 
acting in a similar capacity. 

At midnight the infantry ^regiment, artillery and cavalry 
corps began to muster and assume marching order. As fast 
as several regiments were ready they proceeded to the Long 
Bridge, those in Washington being directed to take that route. 
The troops quartered at Georgetown, the Sixty-ninth, Fifth, 
Eighth and Twenty-eighth New York Regiments, proceeded 
across the Chain Bridge, under the command of Gen. McDowell. 
The imposing scene was at the bridge, where the main body of 
the troops crossed. Eight thousand infantry, two regular 
cavalry companies, and two sections of Sherman's artillery 
battalion, consisting of two batteries, were in line on the 
Washington side of the Long Bridge at two o'clock. 

The Twelfth New York was the first on the ground. The 
army crossed the bridge in the following order : — Twelfth 
Eegiraent, New York ; Twenty-fifth Begiment, New York ; 
First Regiment, Michigan ; First, Second, Third and Fourth 
New Jersey, in order named. Two regular cavalry corps, of 
eighty men each, and Sherman's two batteries ; next, and last, 
came the New York Seventh. Following these was a long 
train of wagons, filled with wheelbarrows, shovels, &c. Alto- 
gether, there were at least thirteen thousand men in the 
advancing army. 

Major-General Mansfield commanded the movement of the 
troops until the last corps left the district. The first regiment 
of the main body that crossed the Long Bridge started at 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



159 



twenty minutes past two, and the last corps left the district at 
about quarter to four o'clock. 

The army could not have had a more beautiful night for their 
inarch. The atmosphere was balmy, and the moon never shone 
more clear. The only civilian allowed to cross the Long 
Bridge was Senator Chandler, of Michigan. So little noise 
did they cause that few of the citizens of Washington were 
awakened from their slumbers. 

The scene at the bridge was grand and impressive beyond 
description. The night was cool and clear, thousands of men 
were drawn up in line and defiling past, but not a whisper was 
heard from them. They all preserved a solemn silence, as 
though sensible of the momentousness of the occasion, but the 
rumble of artillery, the clatter of cavalry, the muskets and 
ordnance glittering in the moonlight, the suppressed commands 
of the officers imparted, nevertheless, a liveliness to the impos- 
ing spectacle. 

At four o'clock, A. M., Major General Sandford and staff 
left Willard's, and proceeded to Virginia to take command of 
the advancing forces. 

While the above troops were moving along the west bank 
of the river, Colonel Ellsworth's Fire Zouaves were preparing 
to march against Alexandria. It was conjectured that the Con- 
federate forces would make a stand at that point, and a battle 
would follow. 

The Zouaves embarked on board the steamers Baltimore 
and Mount Vernon, before daylight, and at 5 A. M. reached 
Alexandria, in good order. Just before reaching the wharf, 
the commander of the Pawnee sent a flag of truce to the rebel 
forces, giving them one hour in which to withdraw from the 
town. The Major commanding the Virginia troops refused 
the demand. The Captain then informed him that the conse- 
quences would be terrible to the village and all its inhabitants, 



160 



A HISTORY OF THE 



and prolonged the time till 8 o'clock. At 6 A. M. Ellsworth's 
Zouaves landed and took a position on the dock. Company 
E, Captain Leverich, first disembarked, and was at once detailed 
to destroy the railroad track leading to Richmond, which ser- 
vice they promptly performed. 

The troops were accompanied by two guns from Sherman's 
Battery of Flying Artillery, and a company of United States 
Cavalry, As they marched into the street, a whistle saluted 
them, and a ,train of cars steamed away, probably bearing the 
secession forces. One company of horse, numbering forty-five, 
were captured, with horses, accoutrements, and flag, mounted, 
mounting, and preparing to mount. 

Simultaneously with the landing of the Zouaves, the First 
Michigan Regiment entered Alexandria via the Long Bridge, 
and proceeded to the railroad depot, of which they took pos- 
session, capturing a troop of the cavalry, numbering one hun- 
dred, with their horses and equipments. 

After detailing Company E, Colonel Ellsworth directed the 
Adjutant to form the regiment, and then with his Aid, Lieu- 
tenant Winser, and a file of men, started for the telegraph 
ofiice, to cut the wires. Colonel Ellsworth proceeded in 
double-quick time up the street. They had proceeded three 
blocks, when his attention was attracted by a large Secession 
flag flying from the Marshall House, kept by J. W. Jackson. 
The Colonel entered the hotel, and meeting a man in the hall, 
he asked, "Who put up that flag?" The man answered, "I 
don't know ; I am a boarder here." Colonel Ellsworth, 
Lieutenant Winser, the Chaplain of the regiment, Mr. House, 
a volunteer aid, and four privates, went up to the roof, and 
Colonel Ellsworth cut down the flag. 

The party were returning down the stairs, preceded by 
private Francis E.Brownell, of Company A. As they left the 
attic, the man who had said he was a boarder, but who proved 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



161 



to be the landlord, Jackson, was met in the hall, having a 
double-barreled gun, which he leveled at Brownell. Brownell 
struck up the gun with his musket, when Jackson pulled both 
triggers. The contents lodged in the body of Colonel Ells- 
worth, entering between the third and fifth ribs. The Colonel 
was at the time rolling up the flag. He fell forward on the 
floor of the hall, and exclaimed "My God!" He tore open 
his apparel, opened his wounded breast to all, then threw back 
his arms and expired almost instantly. 

The instant that Jackson fired, Brownell leveled his musket 
at Jackson, and fired ; the ball struck on the bridge of the 
nose, and crashed through his skull, killing him instantly. As 
he fell, Brownell followed his shot by a thrust of his bayonet, 
which went through and pinned the body to the floor. 

The corpse of Colonel Ellsworth lay in state in Washington, 
where every honor and respect was paid it. The dignitaries 
of the city composed the funeral cortege, and the bells tolled 
his funeral knell. Along the entire route to his native State, 
the corpse was received with honor, and the homage of a sor- 
rowing people paid to his last remains. 

He was a talented and brilliant young officer, and on the 
road to fame and fortune. He had been the Captain of the 
famous Zouave Company of Chicago, Illinois, which made the 
tour of the principal cities of the United States before the 
breaking out of the war, and by their superior and excellent 
drill astonished the public, and obtained for themselves great 
notoriety. At the breaking out of the war, he proceeded to 
New York, and from the firemen of that city raised a regiment 
of soldiers. They proved to be brave and fearless men, and 
when the opportunity off"ered, they avenged the death of their 
young commander. 



162 A IHSTOilY OF THE 



CHAPTER XYI. 

THE CAPTURE OF ROMNET AND PHILLIPPI, IN WESTERN 
VIRGINIA — POSITION OF THE FEDERAL ARMY. 

The occupation of Virginia, hy tiie federal army, caused 
some consternation in the South. At llichmond, it was feared 
an immediate advance would be made on that city, and, in its 
unfortified condition, it would fall an easy prey to the Union 
troops. It was supposed by the Confederates, and that very 
wisely, too, that if an advance was made, it would be by the 
way of Manassas Junction, as that route seemed the most 
practicable and easy. The small settlement known on the 
maps as " Manassas Junction," is located immediately at the 
junction of the Manassas Cap Railway with the Alexandria 
and Orange Railroad. It is twenty-seven miles south-west of 
Alexandria, sixty-one miles north-east of Cordonsville, one 
hundred and forty-three north-east of Lynchburg, and one- 
hundred and thirty-four miles north of Richmond. 

The Manassas Cap Railroad is an uncompleted line of rail- 
way, entering into Mount Jackson, a village in Shenandoah 
county, one hundred and twelve miles from the Junction. 
From this point, communication by railroad is had with every 
Southern State, and therefore, for the rapid concentration of 
troops and munitions of war, on the northern line of the Con- 
federates' military operations, it has proved a valuable posi- 
tion. It lies in a gorge of the mountains, and possesses many 
natural advantages. At the time the Federal troops moved 
into Virginia, there were at Manassas but a few Confederate 
Boldiers. It was immediately reinforced by five thousand 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



163 



men, and the erection of strong fortifications commenced. 
Ti'iC pickets of the Confederate army extended to within a 
few miles of Washington, and behind them, and on to Manas- 
sas were numerous camps of troops. The extreme Southern 
States sent into Virginia their entire military force, presuming 
that State would be the seat of war. By the end of May they 
had, in and around Manassas, perhaps one hundred thousand 
men. 

After the occupation of Yirginia by the Federal troops, they 
"began the erection of strong fortifications, for the protection 
of Washington. 

The two armies occupied their time in intrenching them- 
selves, drilling, skirrnishing, and foraging. No movements 
of importance were made ; but, like two desperate antagonists, 
they contented themselves with watching each other's operations. 
The Confederate forces were under the command of General 
Beauregard, an accomplished and efficient engineer. He had 
been an ofiicer in the United States regular service, but when 
the secession movement broke out, he resigned his commission 
in the Federal army, and oflfered his services to the South, 
where they were willingly accepted. He is a native of 
Louisiana, and received his military education at the Federal 
Academy at West Point. Of his ability to command a large 
force in a fair field, not backed by impregnable intrenchments, 
there is great doubt. From the time of the occupation of 
Manassas Junction by the Confederate forces, he had been in 
command of the position, and under his direction the fortifica- 
tions have been erected. 

The Union forces were under the command of Lieutenant- 
General Scott, the highest officer in the Federal service, and 
next to the President in rank ; the latter being, constitu- 
tionally, the Commander-in-Chief of all the Federal forces. 
The extreme age of Greneral Scott, together with his bodily 



164 A HISTORY OF THE 

infirmities, incapacitated tiim from active service in the field, but 
his mind was clear, and his military knowledge and skill unim- 
paired. He regulated the military movements of the army, 
and they in all cases showed the same care that has always 
characterized him as a general. He was a patriot, and a 
noble man in the fullest extent of the term. When Virginia, 
his native State, had seceded, he was solicited — he was per- 
suaded and urged by the Confederates to join their unholy 
cause. But the good old man had fought too many battles 
under the Stars and Stripes, and achieved too many victories 
under the folds of his country's flag, to forsake it. When, on 
one occasion, solicited, by a committee sent from Virginia, to 
forsake his country, and follow the fortunes of his native State, 
he informed the committee that he had served for fifty years 
beneath the flag of his country, and he would serve under it 
while he lived. He was subsequently placed on the retired 
list, with full pay, and went to France ; but when danger 
from abroad threatened his country, he instantly returned, that 
his services and his influence as a general might support her 
in the hour of need. He is a patriot and a soldier of whom 
the American people may well be proud — and when he has 
gone to his last resting place, his patriotism and noble deeds 
will live in the hearts of his countrymen — an imperishable 
monument to his memory. 

The west bank of the lower Potomac was occupied by the 
Confederate troops, where they had thrown up strong forti- 
fications. Between them and the United States steamers there 
were frequent skirmishes, without, however, any serious results. 

By the 30th of May, Western Virginia had sent troops into 
the field, under the command of Colonel Kelley, a brave and 
able ofiicer. These were joined by troops from Ohio, and on 
that day they took possession of Grrafton — the Confederate 
forces, fifteen hundred strong, flying without making any 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



165 



resistance. After the flight of the enemy, and as Colonel 
Kelley was marching into the town at the head of his troops, 
he was approached bj a desperate character, who shot him in 
the breast with a revolver. He was not mortally wounded, 
and by careful attendance subsequently recovered. 

The army in Western Virginia was increased by the addi- 
tion of an Indiana regiment, under the command of Colonel 
Lewis Wallace. On the night of June 11th, his regiment 
marched twenty miles, through a heavy rain, attacked a Con- 
federate encampment at Romney, and after a short engage- 
ment, in which two of the enemy were killed, they fled in the 
greatest confusion. The Federal troops had only one man 
wounded. 

On June 1st, a brisk skirmish took place between Company 
B of the United States Cavalry, Lieutenant Tompkins com- 
manding, and the Confederate forces, at Fairfax Court House. 
The company was on a reconnoitering expedition, and reached 
the vicinity of Fairfax, where they captured the Confederate 
pickets, and entered the town. The Confederate troops fired 
from windows and house-tops upon the cavalry. The Lieu- 
tenant charged upon the mounted riflemen and drove them from 
the town, and perceiving two or three companies coming to the 
relief of the Confederates, and being outnumbered, he charged 
again on the enemy, and cut his way through. He returned 
to the camp with his company, having sustained a loss of two 
killed, two wounded, and one missing. He brought away five 
prisoners, and two horses fully armed and equipped. 

General Patterson had been ordered to the command of the 
army of the upper Potomac, and on the 7th of June he com- 
menced his march from Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, toward 
Virginia, Brigadier-General Thomas leading the advance. 
The Confederate troops, under command of General Lee, occu- 
pied the west side of the Potomac, from Harper's Ferry down 



166 



A HISTORY OF THE 



to wifcuin a aliort distance of Washington. Hearing of the 
advance of the Federal troops, and fearing they would cross 
into Virginia, they destroyed all the bridges across the Poto- 
mac. General Patterson, however, advanced, and quietly 
occupied the Maryland side of the Potomac. 

General McDowell was in command of the forces on the west 
bank of the Potomac at Washington, his head-quarters were 
established on Arlington Heights, at the late residence of the 
Confederate General Lee. General Butler was in command at 
Fortress Monroe, and the troops stationed at Newport News. 
Captain Lyon, for his military ability and the celerity of his 
movements, was made a Brigadier-General of Volunteers, and 
superceded General Harney in the command in the State of 
Missouri. In the State of Blinois, General Prentiss was in 
command, and commenced fortifying the town of Cairo, at the 
mouth of the Ohio river, where it empties into the Miss'issippi 
river, and the terminus of the Illinois Central Railroad. 
This was a very strong military position, and completely 
blockaded the two rivers against any of the enemy's steamers. 
Kentucky was still neutral, not having determined which side 
of the question she would take. Shortly after the above date, 
however, her territory was occupied by the Confederate troops, 
and she then, by an overwelming majority of her citizens, 
declared herself loyal, and ready to stand firm to the Union. 

In Western Virginia, Col. Kelley, a native of Wheeling, 
Virginia, commanded the troops, and moved rapidly and boldly 
against the Confederate forces. 

On the 3d of June, (this was previous to his being wounded,) 
he made a descent on the Confederate forces at Phillippi, Vir- 
ginia, numbering fifteen hundred, and, after a straggling fight, 
but of short duration, the Coudederates were defeated, with a 
loss of sixteen killed, a number wounded, and ten prisoners. 
The Federal loss was two killed, and twenty-five wounded. 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



1(57 



After Col. Kelley was disabled by being wounded at Romney, 
General McClellan, a native of Philadelphia, Pa., was made 
Brigadier-General of Volunteers, and consigned to the coin- 
roand of the army in Western Virginia. He was a thorough-bred 
soldier in every respect, having been educated at West Point, 
and graduated with honor to himself and his State. He was 
regarded by the Federal Government as a man of excellent 
military science and knowledge. During the existence of the 
Crimean war, he was appointed as one of a commission of three 
officers to visit the Crimea, and watch the progress of the allied 
armies, and report their observations to the General Govern- 
ment. Upon the return of the officers from Europe, General 
McClellan wrote a very valuable work upon the campaign of 
the allies in the Crimea. In Western Virginia he soon proved 
his military ability, by the masterly manner in which he drove 
the Confederate troops from point to point, defeating them at 
every turn. 

We now have arrived at the period where the Federal army 
begins to take form, and establish its lines from the Atlantic 
to the wilds beyond Kansas, down into New Mexico. A chain 
of Federal troops was stationed along this immense distance, 
strengthening itself, and preparing to close up its links, tighten 
steadily and firmly upon the Confederates, until they were 
completely fastened in the net preparing for them. 



168 



A HISTORY OF THE 



CHAPTER XYII. 

BATTLE AT GREAT BETHEL — DEATH OF LIEUTENANT GREBLE 
— EVACUATION OF HARPER'S FERRY BY THE CONFEDERATE 
TROOPS. 

Information had been received bj G-eneral Butler, wbo was 
in command at Fortress Monroe, that the Confederates were 
in force at a place called Grreat Bethel, twelve and a half miles 
from the fortress, on the Yorktown road. Having determined 
to dislodge them, he gave orders to the Ordnance Department 
for a battery of howitzers, which consisted of four twelve- 
pounders, with a detachment of United States Artillery, under 
the command of Lieutenant John F. Grreble, of the United 
States army. The detailed force of volunteers consisted of 
three regiments — the Albany Regiment, Colonel Townsend ; 
the New York Zouaves, led by Colonel Duryea ; and the Fifth 
New York Regiment, Colonel Benedix ; with companies of 
other regiments, comprising a force of nearly three thousand 
men. 

At midnight, on Sunday, about nineteen hundred men ad- 
vanced from Newport News Point, and three thousand from 
Old Point Comfort, with an arrangement to meet near New- 
market bridge, where they would conjoin under the command 
of Brigadier-Greneral Pierce, of Mass., for the purpose of 
checking the incursions of a corps of Virginia dragoons who 
had arranged their pickets in the vicinity of Hampton. 

A part of the troops from Newport News Point, mistaking 
the Federal troops for the Southern forces, at about 3 o'clock 
in the morning, opened fire on them, and killed several, 
besides wounding quite a number. This revealed their 
approach to the Confederates, and the delay caused by the 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



169 



confusion resulting from the mistake, enabled the Confederates 
to thoroughly prepare for them. While on the march, Capt. 
A. Whiting, of Hampton, who was on picket duty, was cap- 
tured. 

After order was restored among the Federal troops, they 
advanced rapidly towards Great Bethel, unconscious of any 
formidable opposing force. Upon approaching the brink of the 
narrow creek which separated them from those lying in wait, 
a galling fire from two batteries, one of two, and one of four 
guns, opened on them, while they protected a large body of 
expert riflemen. 

An attempt was made to storm the works ; but there being 
no system or regularity in the movements of the troops, they 
were driven back. Again a mistake occurred, by an officer on 
the right supposing that a force on the left was the enemy, 
fell back, and caused a general retreat. Lieutenant Greble 
was killed while serving his guns, by a rifle cannon ball 
striking him in the head. Major Theodore Winthrop was 
missed immediately after the battle, and it was presumed he 
was a prisoner ; but a few days after the defeat, his body was 
recovered from the Confederates. The Federal loss was 
thirteen killed, and thirty wounded. The Confederate force 
was said to be twenty-two hundred, with a loss of seventeen 
killed, and a number wounded. After the defeat at Great 
Bethelj things remained comparatively quiet at Fortress 
Monroe, except occasional alarms and reports of the advance 
of the enemy. 

Upon the approach of General Patterson on the line of the 
Potomac, the Confederate forces evacuated Harper's Ferry, 
carrying away the guns they had mounted on their fortifica- 
tions. On the 14th, they burned the bridge over the Potomac 
at Harper's Ferry, and the bridge at Martinsburg. At the 
former place they burned the United States armory buildings, 



170 



A HISTORY OF THE 



and at the latter place they collected fortj-eiglit locomotives , 
a large amount of cars and machinery belonging to the Balti- 
more and Ohi« railroad, and destroyed them by fire. 

At noon on Thursday, a courier arrived at Harper's Ferry, 
with dispatches for General Johnston from Davis, at Rich- 
mond, and General Beauregard at Manassas. Instantly after 
reading them. General J ohnston held a brief consultation with 
the colonels of all the regiments of his army, who were hastily 
summoned for that purpose. Immediately after the conference 
broke up, the colonels directed their several commands to 
prepare for instant marching. All the artillery on the Mary- 
land Heights was brought carefully down, taken across the 
bridge, and put into cars for Winchester. Also, all the 
ammunition, cannon balls, &c. 

These movements occupied all the time from three in the 
afternoon till daybreak the next morning, when the last gun, 
a rifled cannon, (one of those that had been brought from the 
Point of Bocks, by_ Colonel Johnston,) crossed the bridge. 
The troops on the Maryland side immediately followed, and at 
that moment Maryland was, for the first time, free from the 
presence of Southern troops. The troops being all out of the 
way. General Johnston gave directions for the firing of the 
train by which the bridge was undermined. The match was 
applied, a tremendous explosion followed, and in an instant the 
great bridge was a mass of ruins. Fire was then applied to 
the remaining wood-work of the structure, and it was entirely 
destroyed. 

The troops left Harper's Ferry in three divisions, one by 
railroad to Winchester, the other two by two country roads to 
Leesburg. The number of troops that left Harper's Ferry 
was fully fifteen thousand. 

From the time the Federal army occupied the west bank of 
the Potomac, up to the 17th of June, no advance had been 
made into the enemy's country. On that day. Brigadier- 



CIVIL VvAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



171 



General Schenck, acting under orders from General McDowell, 
started out the Alexandria, Loudon and Hampshire railroad, 
with six hundred troops, of the First Ohio Regiment, Colonel 
McCook commanding, to occupy, and, if possible, to hold th© 
village of Vienna, situated on that road. General Schenck, 
in his official report, says : — 

To Lietjtenant-General Scott : 

We left camp with six hundred and sixty-eight, rank and 
file, twenty-nine field and company officers, in pursuance of 
General McDowell's orders, to go upon this expedition with 
the available force i)f one of my regiments ; the regiment 
selected being the First Ohio Volunteers. We left Companies 
I and K, with an aggregate of one hundred and thirty-five 
men, at the crossing of the road. Lieutenant-Colonel Parrot, 
with two companies of one hundred and seventeen men, to 
go to Falls Church, and to patrol the roads in that direc- 
tion. Stationed two companies, (D and F, one hundred and 
thirty-five men,) to guard the railroad bridge, between the 
crossing and Vienna. We proceeded slowly to Vienna, with 
four companies — Company E, Captain Paddock ; Company C, 
Lieutenant Woodward, afterwards joined by Captain Pease : 
Company G, Captain Bailey ; Company H, Captain Hazlett ; 
being a total of two hundred and seventy-five men. 

On turning the curve slowly, within a quarter of a mile of 
Vienna, we were fired upon by raking, masked batteries of, I 
think, three guns, with shell, round shot and grape, killing 
and wounding- the men on the platform and in the cars before 
the train could be stopped. 

When the train stopped, the engineer could not, on account 

of damage to some part of the running machinery, draw the 

train out of the fire. The engine being in the rear, we left 

the cars, and retired to the right and left of the train through 

the woods. Finding that the enemy's batteries were sustained 

by what appeared to. be a regiment of infantry and by cavalry, 

which force we have since understood to have been some fifteen 

hundred South Carolinians, we fell back along the railroad, 

throwing out skirmishers on both flanks. This was about 7 

P. M. Thus we retired slowly, bearing off our wounded, for 

five miles, to this point, which we reached at 10 o'clock. 
****** 



172 



A HISTORY OF THE 



When all the batteries opened upon us, Major Hughey was 
at his station on the foremost car. Colonel McCook was with 
me in one of the passenger cars. Both of these officers, with 
others of the commissioned, officers and many of the men, 
behaved most coolly under this galling fire, which we could 
not return, and from batteries which we could not flank or 
turn, from the nature of the ground. 

The approach to Vienna is through a deep, long, cut in the 
railway. In leaving the cars, and before they could rally, 
many of my men lost haversacks and blankets, but brought 
off all their muskets, except, it may be, a few that were 
destroyed by the enemy's first fire, or lost with the killed. 

Robert C. ScheNck, Brigadier General, 

The result of this engagement was the retreat of the Federal 
troops, with a loss of eight killed, and seven wounded. 

The lines of the Confederate forces extended from Norfolk, 
Ya., along the western bank of the lower Potomac, nearly 
reaching to Alexandria. Here they left the river, making a 
curve, by way of Manassas Junction, and again striking the 
Potomac a short distance above Washington, extended along 
the Potomac to Harper's Ferry and to Martinsburg. Through 
Western Virginia thore was a break. The line commencing 
again at the northern line of Tennessee, and extending \west- 
ward to Memphis, on the Mississippi river. In Missouri, they 
had no established points of defense, but moved as defeat or 
success permitted. 

At Norfolk, General Magruder commanded; at Manassas 
and along the lower Potomac, Greneral Beauregard ; and on the 
upper Potomac, G-enerals Lee and Johnston. Along the Ten- 
nessee line, G-enerals Zollickoffer, Twiggs and Polk com- 
manded. In Missouri, Generals Price and McCullough had 
command of the Confederate troops. In the mountains on the 
western border of Eastern Virginia, Generals ex-Governor 
Wise, Floyd and Garnet commanded. 



CIVIL WAR IN THE ITNITED STATES. 



173 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

BATTLE OF BOONVILLE — DEATH OF CAPTAIN "WARD — BATTLE 
OF FALLING WATERS. 

After the appointment of Greneral Lyon to the command in 
Missouri, the Federal troops displayed the greatest energy and 
rapidity in their movements. The force, however, under his 
command was, from some cause or another, small, and though 
the subject was frequently spoken of publicly, the War Depart- 
ment paid no attention to it. But the General made his small 
force work, and pursued the Confederates with surprising dili- 
gence. He determined to drive the enemy from the State if 
possible, and at once give safety and peace to the loyal people. 
He therefore made preparations to ascend the Missouri river, 
and attack the enemy wherever found. 

Having made the necessary preparations for an expedition, 
the Greneral placed his troops on board the steamers Jaton, 
McDowell, and City of Louisville, and started up the Missouri 
river. As the fleet were approaching Boonville, a town of 
some prominence on the river, on Monday, June 15th, a bat- 
tery was discovered at Adams' Mill, five miles below the town. 
The expedition turned about, and descended the river three 
miles, where the troops landed, amounting to seventeen hun- 
dred strong. The line of march was taken on the Rocheport 
road, leading to Boonville, and when within about six miles of 
the town, they were met by a force of the enemy, numbering 
three thousand, under the command of General'Price. The 
Confederates were posted in a thick undergrowth and in a 
wheat-field. The fire from this concealment was sharp and 



174 



A HISTORY OF THE 



galling to the Federal troops, and the Greneral discovered it 
would be impossible to dislodge them. He then ordered a 
retreat, which was accomplished in good order, and had the 
effect to draw the enemy from their ambush. When this was 
effected, he turned his retreating troops, and charged the 
enemy with such fury, and raked them so severely with his 
artillery, that they fled in dismay. They were driven back 
three miles below Boonville, and they continued their flight 
through the town. About flfteen hundred stand of arms were 
captured, a large amount of ammunition, and a number of 
horses. The Federal loss was four killed and nine wounded, 
the loss of the Confederates was supposed to be large, but no 
account of' it has ever been published. 

At this time the Federal troops were operating in other 
portions of the State. The town of Independence is situated 
on the Missouri river, near the Kansas line ; near this town 
a Confederate camp had sprung up, under the command of 
Captain Holloway. A detachment of Fedel:al troops, under 
Captain Stanley, with a flag of truce, visited the camp of the 
Confederate troops, to ascertain the purposes of Captain 
Holloway. 

During the conference, Stanley learned that movements 
were being made with a design to attack him, and ordered his 
detachment to retreat. While retreating, he was fired upon 
by the State troops at an order given by a private : but the 
fire was so irregular, that they killed their own commander, 
Capt. Holloway, and J. B. Clannahan, and severely wounded 
several of their own men. 

Stanley's men did not fire, having received orders not to do 
so under any circumstances. Stanley retreated toward Kansas 
City, and reported the affair, when Capt. Prince, with a strong 
body of troops, attacked and routed the Confederate forces, 
capturing thirty horses and a large quantity of baggage. * 



CTVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



175 



On the 26th of June, thirteen of Colonel Wallace's Zouave 
Regiment were scouting on Patterson's creek, twelve miles 
from Cumberland, Maryland, where they encountered a party 
of Confederate troops, numbering about forty men. For the 
small numbers engaged, it was a bloody and desperate engage- 
ment. Colonel Wallace, in his account of the battle, says : 

" Cumberland, June 27th, 1861. 

" To G-ENERAL McClellan : — I have been accustomed to 
sending my mounted pickets, thirteen men in all, to different 
posts along the several approaches to Cumberland. Finding 
it next to impossible to get reliable information of the enemy, 
yesterday I visited the thirteen, and directed them, if possible, 
to get to Frankford, a town midway between this place and 
Komney, to see if there were any Rebel troops there. 

" They went within a quarter of a mile of the place, and 
found it full of cavalry. Returning they overtook forty- one 
horsemen, and at once charged them, routing and driving them 
back more than a mile, killing eight of them, and securing 
seven horses ; Corporal Hays, in command of my men, was * 
desperately wounded with sabre cuts and bullets. Taking 
him back, they halted about an hour, and were then attacked 
by the enemy, who had been reinforced to about 75 men. The 
attack was so sudden that they abandoned their horses, and 
crossed to a small island at the mouth of Patterson's creek. 

" The charge of the Rebels was bold and confident, yet 
twenty-three fell under the fire of my pickets, close about and 
on the island. My fellows were finally driven off, scattering, 
each man for himself, but they are all in camp now. One, 
Corporal Hays, of Company A, was wounded, but is recovering. 
One, John C. Holdingbrook, of Company B, is dead. The 
last was taken prisoner and brutally murdered. 

" Three companies went to the ground this morning, and 
recovered everything belonging to my picket except a few of 
the horses. The enemy were engaged all night long in boxing 
up their. dead. Two of their ofl&cers were killed, and they laid 
out twenty-three on the porch of a neighboring farm-house. I 
will bury my poor fellow to-morrow." 
• 

The Confederate troops on the lower Potomac, had com- 



176 



A HISTOUY OF THE 



menced the erection of strong batteries at every available 
point. Frequently the batteries erected and the United States 
steamers came in collision, but without any serious results. 
On the 27th of June, however, a more serious engagement 
occurred in our attack on the Confederate batteries at Mathias 
Point. 

On Wednesday night Captain Ward sent up to the Pawnee, 
at xicquia Creek, desiring Captain Owens to send him a rein- 
forcement of two boats' crews. Two small cutters, with their 
crews, were therefore sent down to the Freeborn, under 
Lieutenant Chaplin, and with them. Captain Ward dispatched 
a boat and crew from the Freeborn, numbering in all from 
thirty to forty men. 

Lieutenant Chaplin elFected a landing, and succeeded in 
driving in the Confederate pickets. Finding preparation for 
the erection of a Confederate battery there, it was determined 
to throw up breastworks and mount guns thereon, to give the 
enemy a warm reception should they attack the crews. 

Acooi-dingly, men were set to work, under cover of the 
Freeborn's guns, at throwing up sand-bag breastworks, and 
succeeded in working four hours and a half, getting their 
works completed about five o'clock in the evening. 

They then went to their boats, intending to go on board of 
the Freeborn for guns to mount on the works, when, at the 
moment of embarking, they were surprised by a force of the 
enemy, estimated at from a thousand to fifteen hundred strong, 
who poured a heavy and continuous fire of musketry upon 
them from bushes near by. 

Under cover of the Freeborn's guns, they reached the 
steamer, leaving a few of the men on shore, the guns of the 
Freeborn meanwhile opening with activity and precision, 
apparently, upon the enemy, who were concealed by under- 
brush. About ten shells were thrown among them; with what 
effect could not be seen, owing the enemy's position. 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



177 



Captain Ward behaved with great coolness, standing by the 
guns and directing their fire, when a gunner received a wound 
in the thigh, which disabled him. Captain Ward imme- 
diately took his place, and was sighting the gun, when he 
received a Minnie musket ball full in the breast, which killed 
hun almost instantly. 

The men left on shore by the boats in their retreat, swam 
out to the Freeborn, one of them carrying on his back a 
wounded comrade named Bess, who had received four musket 
balls, and was thought mortally wounded. Jack Williams, 
Coxswain of the third cutter, received a flesh wound while 
waving the Stars and Stripes, which he had carried in his hand 
during the whole affair, behaving * most gallantly under the 
hottest fire. The American ensign, which he unceasingly 
waved, was pierced with nineteen musket balls. 

Only three men in the boats were wounded. The only life 
lost was that of the gallant Ward, who, the moment the enemy 
was discovered, blew the signal for the boat's crew to come on 
board, and instantly opened on the foe with his heavy guns. 

The object of Captain Ward in throwing up the breastworks 
at Mathias Point was, that his boat's crew might be able to 
hold the place with the aid of a small howitzer battery, and 
covered by the thirty- two-pounder guns of the Freeborn, until 
his force should be reinforced by the New York Seventy-first 
Begiment, which he had sent for to come to his support. It 
was thought that the regiment, once there, could fortify them- 
selves and hold the place against a force vastly superior to 
their number. The Pawnee, however, arrived at the Navy 
Yard with Ward's corpse before the dispatch reached the 
Seventy-first. 

G-eneral Patterson, who had for some time quietly occupied 
the upper Potomac, determined to carry the war into the 
enemy's country. He divided his force into three columns, 
8* 



178 



A HISTORY OF THE 



and on the morning of July 2d, they were prepared to march. 
A little before four o'clock the regular crossing commenced 
in the following order : — Wisconsin Regiment, Perkins' Bat- 
tery, Eleventh Pennsylvania Regiment, Twenty-third, Sixth, 
Twenty-first, Ninth, Sixteenth, Twenty-fourth, Twentieth, 
Seventh, Tenth, First, Second, Third, Fourteenth, Fifteenth; 
Col. Thomas' Cavalry, the Philadelphia City Troop, and the 
Rhode Island Battery, which came in the previous evening, 
crossed during the passage of the regiments. A short distance 
from the river the advance came upon the enemy, under the 
command of Col. Jackson. 

The battle commenced a mile beyond Falling Waters, at 
nine o'clock in the morning. The commencement was sudden, 
and without any previous knowledge that it was at hand. 
Col. Perkins had rode out some distance in front of his battery, 
and upon turning a bend of the road, suddenly found himself 
face to face with two strange officers, mounted. They made 
the military salute, and shook hands cordially with the Colonel, 
asking him what company he belonged to ? He answered, 
company C. Just then one of the officers espied the battery 
coming round the bend, and exclaimed, " Artillery, by God !" 
both put spurs to their horses and left. Colonel Perkins 
shouted, " now, boys, we've got 'em !" and in less than a 
'minute the battery opened hot and heavy, right and left of the 
road. The Wisconsin Regiment was supporting the battery 
on the left of the road, and the Pennsylvania Eleventh on the 
right. These immediately came up in position, and poured in 
one volley before the enemy had time to form ; and, in fact, 
they never formed, but fought guerilla style during the whole 
action. 

This was done probably to cover the retreat of the main 
body of their forces. Just in the middle of the fight the 
Twenty-third Regiment came up and took part in the chase, 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



179 



flanking out to a considerable distance to the left, and routing 
the Confederates from all their places of concealment. 
McMullin's men lay along the road near the battery, and 
in the woods, fighting Indian fashion. Every man was cool 
and deliberate, and their shots told with fearful effect. 

The cavalry of the Confederates attempted to make two 
charges upon the Eleventh, but were broken and fled each 
time. The pursuit was continued over three miles, and only 
ceased when the men became tired of trotting double-quick, 
and loading and firing in the hot sun. 

The Confederate camp was captured, with all its appurte- 
nances. Greneral Patterson's forces occupied the Virginia 
bank of the Potomac, until after the battle of Bull's Run, 
when he re-crossed the river, and took a position in Maryland. 

On the 3d of July, a small detachment of Illinois troops, 
numbering about six hundred, were encamped near Monroe, 
Missouri, under the command of Colonel Smith. Greneral 
Harris commanded the Confederates, amounting to sixteen 
hundred men. The attack upon the Federal troops was bold 
and severe, but they stood firmly to the work, and the Con- 
federates retreated, with a loss of four killed, and a number 
wounded. They retreated to Monroe, where they again made 
fight, and were followed by the Federal forces, who attacked 
and drove them from the town. Colonel Smith took a position 
in the Academy Buildings, and was soon after surrounded by 
sixteen hundred Confederate cavalry. He held out until 
reinforcements from Quincy, Illinois, reached him, when the 
enemy were attacked in the rear, and completely routed, with a 
loss of thirty killed, seventy-five prisoners, and several horses 
captured. 



180 



A HISTORY OF THE 



CHAPTEK XIX. 

MEETING OP THE EXTRA SESSION OF CONGRESS — ^BATTLE OP 
CARTHAGE — BATTLE OF RICH MOUNTAIN — BATTLE OP 
CHEAT MOUNTAIN, AND DEATH OP GENERAL GARNET. 

The extra session of Congress, convened by the proclama- 
tion of the President, commenced at Washington on the 4th 
of July, 1861. Grreat unanimity prevailed among the members, 
and there was a desire and a determination to take hold of the 
business of the nation, arid push it forward with all possible 
speed. The organization was effected without the usual delay, 
caused by politicians squabbling and quarreling about nice 
points of politics, and strict party lines. Gralusha A. Grow, 
of Pennsylvania, was elected Speaker of the House, and 
Emerson Etheridge, of Tennessee, Clerk. This latter election 
had a two-fold significance ; it proved — first, that the Repub- 
lican party, which was strongly in the majority, were not 
opposed to good and loyal men from the Southern States occu- 
pying positions of trust and profit within their power to give ; 
and, secondly, that the election of a President, exclusively by 
the North, was no indication that every position in the admi- 
nistration of the Grovernment was to be confined exclusively 
to men of Republican proclivities, and living north of Mason 
and Dixon's line. 

The President's message was looked for with more than 
usual interest at this time, as some conjectures had been 
formed as to the stupendous measures it would propose to 
Congress. Immediately after Congress had organized, the 
message was laid before that body, and as quick as lightning 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



181 



could send it, it was flashed from one end of the country to 
the other. The people read it with avidity, smiled at its vast 
propositions, and concluded the President was right, and by 
their support and assistance they would convince him of the 
fact. Four hundred thousand men, and five hundred millions 
of dollars were asked for to carry on the war. The subject 
was referred by Congress to its proper committees, and in a 
few days bills were presented .and passed, appropriating six 
hundred millions of dollars, and authorizing the enlistment of 
five hundred thousand men. Again the people said right ; 
the war must be prosecuted with vigor. A national tax was 
to be levied ; no man complained ; the Grovernment must have 
money. Those who remained at home from the war, thrust 
their hands in their pockets, and, whistling " Yankee Doodle," 
went cheerfully about their respective avocations. Every con- 
fidence was placed in the Administration, and by loyal men no 
obstacle was placed in its way, and no rights or powers denied 
it. If, for a single moment, it was suggested that the Presi- 
dent, or the Secretary of State, had overstepped the strict 
bounds of law or constitutional power, it was supposed neces- 
sity demanded it, and it was all right. The Cabinet were 
united, and so peaceably did they work together in their efforts 
to remove the difiiculties that surrounded them, that it created 
in the minds of the people a firm reliance in their ability to 
unsift, and clearly develope the power and resources of the 
Government. 

When the six hundred millions of dollars were appropriated, 
all eyes were turned toward Europe, as the only source from 
whence the funds could be obtained. England quickly 
declared that no money should be borrowed in her markets, 
while France remained comparatively quiet. The brokers and 
money-lenders of the latter nation were willing, however, to 
advance on United States bonds, if the United States would 



182 A HISTORY OF THE 

humbly beseech her aid. But it was not necessary to use 
foreign gold to quell a home insurrection. It was an American 
war — American people were fighting it, and American gold 
must carry it on. There was a breathless stillness for a few 
weeks, an anxious wondering who would be asked to loan the 
United States six hundred millions of dollars. At length, 
Mr. Chase, Secretary of the Treasury, relieved the suspense. 
The banks of the three cities: — New York, Philadelphia, and 
Boston — had taken one hundred and fifty millions of the loan. 
A people's loan was established, where every person who had 
five dollars to spare could loan it to the Government. This 
announcement was hailed with delight, .and when the loan 
offices were opened, old and young, male and female, rich and 
poor, contributed to the support of the Government. Foreign 
nations were astounded at the patriotism of the people, and 
the unlimited confidence they reposed in their Government. 

General Lyon had followed his success at Boonville closely, 
and in a short time had driven the Confederates into the south- 
western part of the State of Missouri. He was endeavoring 
to establish a line of defenses, so as to hold them in check 
until he was fully prepared to drive them from that State into 
the State of Arkansas. 

Colonel Seigel had been left about seven miles below 
Carthage, with a force of fifteen hundred Federal troops. 
The Confederates, ascertaining the position of the Colonel, 
broke up their camp on Wednesday, July 3d, and started in 
the direction of Carthage. They numbered about six thousand 
men, under the command of General Rains, and Governor 
Jackson. On Friday morning, the Sthj they came in the 
neighborhood of Colonel Seigel. Knowing the enemy out- 
numbered him, but relying on the bra\'ery of his troops, the 
gallant Colonel advanced to the attack. He readily perceived, 
too, that their object was to cut ofi" his retreat from the main 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. ' 183 

body of the army, or drive him into a position where he woiild 
be compelled to surrender. 

The Confederate troops were posted on an eminence in the 
prairie, with five pieces of artillery — one twelve-pounder in the 
centre, and two six-pounders on the right and left; cavalry 
on each flank, and the infantry in the rear of the artillery. 
Colonel Seigel approached within 800 yards, with four cannon 
in the centre, a body of infantry and a six-pounder under Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Hassendard on the left. Colonel Solomon's 
command with a six-pounder on the right, and a body of 
infantry behind the centre artillery. 

Colonel Seigel's left opened fire with shrapnell, and soon 
the engagement became general. The Confederates had no 
grape, and the artillerists being poor, their balls went over 
the heads of the Federal troops. After two hours' firing, the 
enemy's artillery was entirely silenced, and their ranks broken. 
About one hundred and fifty Confederate cavalry then at- 
tempted to outflank Seigel, and cut off his baggage train, 
which was three miles back, when a retrograde movement was 
ordered, and the train was reached in good order. 

The wagons were then surr( unded by the infantry and artil- 
lery, and the retreat continued till a point was reached where 
the road passed through a high bluff on each side, where the 
enemy's cavalry were posted in large numbers by a feint, as 
if intending to pass around the bluff. Seigel threw his artil-; 
lery into a solid body into the road, at a distance of one hun- 
dred and fifty yards from his position, when, by a rapid 
movement of his artillery, he poured a heavy cross-fire of 
canister into their ranks, and at the same time the infantry 
charged at double-quick time. In ten minutes the Confede- 
rate forces scattered in every direction. Eighty-five riderless 
horses were captured, sixty-five shot-guns, and a number of 
revolvers and bowie-knives were picked up from the ground. 



184 A HISTORY OF THE 

The Colonel contimied his retreat toward Pierre Woods, 
situated north of the town of Carthage, in order to neutralize 
the effect of the Confederate cavalry. Here the most severe 
part of the engagement occurred, and it was supposed that 
the enemy lost two hundred killed at this point. The Federal 
troops fought their way through, and reached the desired 
point. The fighting continued until the Confederate forces 
were so disabled that they were compelled to withdraw, having 
sustained a loss of two hundred and fifty killed, and a large 
number wounded. The Federal loss was eight killed, and 
forty-five wounded and missing. The Colonel then continued 
his retreat to the main line at Mount Yernon. 

This retreat was one of the best executed military move- 
ments of the war, and accomplished only as such movements 
can be by brave men and good soldiers, led by officers compe- 
tent and well qualified for their positions. Tn the hands of a 
political colonel or general, who understands the tactics of 
manoeuvring a political convention better than he does a corps 
of soldiers, the whole command would have been cut off and 
captured. 

In Western Virginia, there is abundant evidence of what a 
skillful and accomplished officer can do. When General 
McClellan found his division of the army in proper condition, 
he dashed upon the enemy \dth such fury, that they were dis- 
.mayed even at the sight of the Federal troops. For several 
days the advance of Greneral McClellan's column had been 
pressing the Confederate forces under Colonel Pegram, (the 
chief command being under General Garnet,) and driving 
them back from Laurel Hill toward Rich Mountain. On the 
11th of July, the Federal forces came upon the enemy, 
strongly entrenched at Rich Mountain, and determined to fight. 

Rich Mountain is a gap in the Laurel Hill range, where the 
Staunton and Weston turnpike crosses it between Buckhannon 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



185 



and Beverly, and about four or five miles out from the latter 
place. It is about as far from. Laurel Hill proper, (that is 
where the Beverly and Fairmont pike crosses it, and where 
the enemy was intrenched,) as Beverly is, fifteen or sixteen 
miles. It is also about twenty-five miles from Buckhannon. 

General McClellan ordered four regiments, (the Eighth, 
Tenth and Thirteenth Indiana, and the Nineteenth Ohio,) to 
proceed along the line of the hills south-east of the enemy's 
intrenched camp on the Beverly road, where it crosses Rich 
Mountain, two miles east of the enemy's position, with orders 
to advance along the Beverly road, and attack the east side 
of the work ; Greiieral McClellan being prepared to assault the 
west side as soon as the firing should announce the commence- 
ment of the attack. The capture of a courier, who mistook 
thc*road through the enemy's camp for the route of our troops, 
placed the enemy in possession of the movement. 

When Greneral Rosencranz reached the Beverly road, at two 
o'clock, after a most exhausting march over the mountains, he 
found the enemy posted on the opposite side of the road, about 
eight hundred strong, with two cannon, holding a strong posi- 
tion, partially fortified. An engagement immediately took 
place, and continued for three-quarters of an hour, when the 
Confederates were totally routed, with a loss of three hun- 
dred, including ten officers and both cannon. About seventy- 
five of the killed and seventy-five wounded fell into the hands 
of the Federal troops, besides one hundred and fifty prisoners. 

General McClellan was in position with his whole force 
during the afternoon, ready to make the assault, but heard 
nothing from the other column, except distant firing early in 
the morning. He was proceeding to plant his cannon upon an 
eminence commanding a portion of the Confederate camp, and 
preparing to attack it in front, when it was ascertained that 
the enemy had evacuated the plac^e during the night, moving 



186 A HISTORY OF TITE 

toward Laurel Hill, leaving a few men with their -sick, and 
their cannon, camp equipage and transportation. 

On the morning of the 12th, Colonel Pegram surrendered 
his command, consisting of six hundred troops. 

On the night of the 11th, the Confederate army, at Laurel 
Hill, under Brigadier-Greneral Robert S. Grarnett, late a Major 
in the United States army, evacuated its camp in gi'eat haste, 
on learning of General McClellan's approach to Beverly, appa- 
rently hoping to pass Beverly before Q-eneral McClellan's 
arrival, and thus escape the trap laid for them, by a passage 
through the Cheat Mountain pass. 

The evacuation was discovered on the morning of the 12th, 
and a pursuit was instantly . ordered. By ten o'clock the 
Indiana Ninth entered the camp on Laurel Hill, and found a 
large number of tents, a lot of flour, camp equipage ^and 
clothing, and several sick and wounded, with a note asking the 
Federal troops to give them proper attention. The whole road 
for twenty miles was strewn with the baggage thrown from the 
wagons, to facilitate their retreat. 

The Confederate army went within three miles of Beverly, 
and there met the forces defeated by Rosencranz, flying from 
Rich Mountain, and finding escape to Huttonsville impossible, 
all united, and returned toward Laurel Hill, and took the 
road in the direction of St. G-eorge. General Morris' division 
pursued them for a mile or two beyond Leedsville that night, 
and then halted from eleven till three in the morning, when 
the advance resumed the pursuit, and continued it all day, in 
spite of an incessant rain. The Confederate army left the 
pike, struck Cheat river, and pursued the mountain road down 
the valley. 

The advance, composed of the Fourteenth Ohio and Seventh 
and Ninth Indiana, pushed on, guided through the , mountain 
gullies by tents, camp furniture, provisions and knapsacks, 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



187 



thrown from the wagons to facilitate their flight. Our troops 
forded Cheat river four times, and finally, about ten o'clock, 
came up with the enemy's rear guard. The Fourteenth Ohio 
advanced rapidly to the ford in which the enemy's wagons 
were standing, when suddenly the Confederates opened a 
furious fire on them with small arms and two rifled cannon 
from the bluff on the opposite side of the river, where they had 
been concealed ; but the fire, as usual, was too high to be 
effective. The Fourteenth returned the fire with spirit. 

Meanwhile two pieces of the Cleveland artillery came up, 
and opened on the enemy, and the Ninth Indiana advanced to 
the support of the Fourteenth Ohio's left, while the Seventh 
Indiana crossed the river between the two fires, and came in 
on the enemy's right flank. The Confederates then fled in 
great*disorder, leaving their finest piece of artillery. 

At the next ford, a quarter of a mile further on. General 
G-arnett attempted to rally his forces, when the Seventh 
Indiana came up in hot pursuit, and another brisk engagement 
ensued. General Garnett was finally shot dead, when his 
army fled in wild confusion toward St. George. The Seventh 
Indiana pursued them a mile or two, but the troops were so 
exhausted with their forced march of twenty miles, with but 
little rest from the march of the day before, that General 
Morris refused to let them pursue any further. 

The result of the whole affair was the capture of the Con- 
federate camp at Laurel Hill, a large amount of tents, camp 
equipage, forty baggage wagons, field camp chests, two regi- 
mental banners — one of them that of the Georgia Regiment 
four Georgia captains and lieutenants, and a large number of 
Virginia ofl&cers, the death of General Garnett and twenty of 
his men, and a large number wounded. The Federal loss was 
entirely in .the Fourteenth Ohio Regiment, two being killed, 
and two mortally wounded. 



188 



A HISTORY OF THE 



St. Greorge,. near where the battle was fought, is the county 
seat of Tucker county, Virginia, and about twenty miles 
north-east of Beverly. It is situated on the Cheat river, near 
the extreme south-western corner of Maryland, and not more 
than fifteen miles from the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. 

On the 15th of July, Greneral Patterson moved to Bunker 
Hill, a point on the upper Potomac, nine miles below Martins- 
burg. When near the town, the Federal troops were met by 
a body of the enemy. Captain Tompkins' Rhode Island Bat- 
tery had the lead, supported by the Twenty-first Pennsylvania 
Regiment, and followed by the Twenty-third. 

Just below Bunker Hill, Colonel Stewart, with six hundred 
of the famous Black Horse Cavalry, drew up fpr a charge upon 
the Twenty-first, but failed to see the Rhode Island Battery, 
which opened with powerful eff"ect, with shot, shell and grape. 
Colonel Stewart's charge was immediately broken, when the 
Second United States Cavalry, under Colonel Thomas, charged, 
and pursued him two miles, capturing one captain and one 
private. The enemy's force scattered into the woods, and the 
Second returned. The army then encamped for the night. 



CIVIL WAR IN' THE UNITED STATES. 



189 



CHAPTER XX. 

THE BATTLE OF BULL'S RUN. 

The Federal army occupied Virginia, opposite Washington, 
from the 24th of May to the 16th of July, without making any 
advance into the enemy's country. This inactivity of the army 
was misunderstood by the people, and construed into a sort of 
indolence and want of vigor on the part of the Government, 
^hey imagined that men taken out of the counting-house, 
work-shop, and from the plough, could shoulder a musket, 
march on to the field of battle, and fight with all the skill and 
adroitness of veteran soldiers. Laboring under this erroneous 
impression, the cry was raised, " On to Richmond, storm Manas- 
sas and take the batteries." The echo was soon caught up by 
the newspaper press, and in their columns the Grovernment 
was urged and censured, the Secretary of War was abused, 
and Greneral Scott was scolded and quarreled with because he 
would not order an onward movement. At length, however, 
the veteran soldier suffered himself to yield to the clamor, and 
the order was given to march. 

On the 16th of July, the army moved from Arlington,* under 
the command of Major-Greneral McDowell, in four columns. 
The extreme right under G-eneral Hunter ; the right under 
General Tyler ; the left centre under Colonel Dixon I. Miles, 
and the extreme left under General Heintzelman. The advance 
continued on the 16th and 17th, without meeting the enemy 
in force. On the afternoon of the 18th, as General Tyler's 
right centre was advancing along the Manassas road, a short 
distance west of Centreville, they received information that a 



190 



A HISTORY OF THE 



masked battery was planted on the left of the road ahead, and 
Colonel Richardson, in command of the Fourth Brigade, was 
ordered to reconnoitre, while the remainder of the division 
remained in the vicinity of Centreviile. Colonel Richardson 
proceeded with three companies of the Massachusetts First, 
being the Kelsey company of Fusileers, and the National 
Guards. 

They passed an open ravine, and again entered the road, 
which was densely surrounded by woods, when they were 
received by a raking fire from the left, killing a number of the 
advance. They gallantly sustained their position, and covered 
the retreat by a brass cannon of Sherman's battery, the horses 
having been completely disabled by the fire, until relieved by 
the Michigan Second and New York Twelfth, when they fell 
back. The Federal forces then took a position on the top of a 
hill. Two rifled cannon were planted in front, supported by 
Captain Brackett's company B, of the Second Cavalry, with a 
line of infantry, composed of the Michigan Second, and the 
New York Twelfth, some distance in the rear. A steady fire 
was kept up on both sides in this position. 

The Confederates had two batteries of eight pieces in a 
position commanding the road. They used their guns well, 
except that they fired sometimes too high, but were gallantly 
faced by the Federal troops. They did not reply to the fire for 
half an hour, during which time they were receiving large 
reinforcements. In the meantime. Colonel Kichardson's 
brigade reconnoitered the woods. While the troops were 
again thus advancing, they were met with a raking fire. The 
guns were again put in position, and poured grape and can- 
nister among the enemy until the supply was exhausted, and 
they then retired to wait for reinforcements, and camped for 
the night. 

- On the 19th and 20th there was no fighting, but active pre- 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



191 



parations were making to attack the enemy in force. The 
ablest and best engineers in 'G-enefal McDowell's staff were 
sent out to reconnoitre, and report the enemy's position. 
They believed the enemy's left (or southward) could not be 
turned on account of the roughness of the road, and that it 
was not advisable to renew the attack of the 18th, on the 
batteries of Bull's Run. The most practicable route to 
another crossing was directly through Centreville, by which 
artillery could easily pass. This was the Warrentown road, 
and some distance down had the advantage of a path diverging 
from it to the north, by which a circuit could be made to the 
rear of the heavy batteries of the enemy that following the 
main road would bring the troops directly in front of them. 
It was determined to send one brigade to hold the Bull's Run 
batteries in check, while the grand attack would be made by 
the Warrentown road, depending upon a column to pass to the 
north, and turn the enemy's position, and throw it into con- 
fusion. 

The plan of the battle was well laid, and had the Federal 
troops contended only against the Confederate force then occu- 
pying Manassas, it would undoubtly have resulted in the total 
defeat of the enemy. It appears that Greneral McDowell had 
not calculated the possibility of Greneral Johnson giving Gene- 
ral Patterson the slip at Winchester, and, by railroad, join 
Beauregard at any moment with a heavy force. As G-rouchey 
failed to intercept the Prussians at Waterloo, and lost the 
battle to Napoleon, so might G-eneral Patterson fail to hold 
Johnson in check, and so it proved in this case. 

On Sunday morning, at two o'clock, the army was 
awakened from its slumbers, and in an hour was ready to 
move. The plan of attack was to advance upon the enemy in 
two directions ; the main and centre column on the Warren- 
town road, in a direct line, until the enemy's batteries were 



192 



A HISTORY OF THE 



reached. A strong column to tlie right was to attack them in 
the rear. The Bull's Elin batteries, on- the left, were to be 
watched during the day, to prevent the enemy from issuing in 
that direction, and turn the left of the Federal forces. 

Colonel Richardson, with the First Massachusetts, Second 
and Third Michigan, and New York Twelfth, with a United 
States battery, were placed upon the enemy's left. Greneral 
Miles was placed at Centreville, with a reserve of nine regi- 
ments, consisting of the Eighth, Sixteenth, Seventeenth, Eigh- 
teenth, Twenty-ninth, Thirty-first, and Thirty-second New 
York, Garibaldi Guards, and the Eighth New York German 
Rifles, and Green and Barry's United States batteries. This 
reserve was so situated as to protect the flank, and to be easily 
thrown forward to any point where they might be required. 

The three columns that moved down the Warrentown road, 
were commmanded by Generals Tyler, Hunter, and Heintzel- 
man, the first making the direct centre attack, the two latter 
diverging to the north to take the batteries in the rear. 

The division of General Tyler consisted of three brigades : 
the first brigade — Second New York, and First and Second 
Ohio, under General Schenck, and a battery of light artillery ; 
the second brigade — New York Sis!ty-ninth, Seventy-ninth and 
Thirteenth, Second Wisconsin and Ayer's Battery, commanded 
by General Sherman ; third brigade — First, Second and Third 
Connecticut, and Second Maine, forming the rear guard of the 
division, and commanded by General Keys. This brigade was 
accompanied by Tompkins' United States battery, and the 
New York volunteer battery, of Yarian, and the thirty-two- 
pound Parrot gun. These three columns amounted to about 
nine thousand men. The divisions of Hunter and Heintzel- 
man consisted of five brigades. General Porter's brigade was 
composed of the Eighth, Fourteenth, and Twenty-seventh 
New York, and companies of United States infantry, cavalry, 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



193 



aDd marines, and Eansom's United States, and Griffin's West 
Point batteries. General Burnside's brigade was composed of 
the Khode Island regiments, the New York Seventy-first, and 
the Second New Hampshire, accompanied by Reynolds' and 
and Webb's batteries, and two light howitzers the troops had 
learned to work, and borrowed from the navy yard ; a battery 
of thirty- two-ponnders rifled cannon, under command of Capt. 
Seymour, who had fought in Fort Sumter. 

The first brigade of General Heintzelman's division was 
composed of the Fifth Massachusetts, First Minnesota, and 
Fourth Pennsylvania. This Pennsylvania Fourth retired from 
the field of battle, because its term of three months' enlist- 
ment had expired, and they desired to return home. The 
motives that prompted such an act, is best known to themselves , 
but in the sight of their fellow-countrymen, it has the appear- 
ance of a want of courage and patriotism. The second brigade 
was composed of the First Michigan, the Thirty-eighth New 
York, the Fire Zouaves, and a battery of United States artil- 
lery. The third brigade was composed of the Third, Fourth, 
and Fifth Maine, and the Second Vermont. This column num- 
bered about fourteen thousand men. We make the following 
extracts from accounts ■ of the battle, taken on different partn 
of the field : 

THE MAIN COLUMN. 

Our first shot nad been fired at half-past six, and it was now after 
seven; still the foe deigned no response, and it was plain he would 
not be satisfied unless we sought him deeper in his fastnesses. Tho 
big gun, therefore, was superseded by light artillery for closer service, 
and an order was given for the brigades, thus strengthened, to move 
right and left, and explore the adjoining woods This order neces- 
sarily brought up the brigade of Key's, which now occupied the cen- 
tre, but still acting as a reserve. 

The timber branched away on either side, in a. sort of crescent, 
toward the batteries of the enemy; on the right hand, however, it 
pursued the straightest line. Both brigades, with skirmishers well 
out, at once proceeded upon their respective tasks, Schenck following 
a left oblique along the edge of the wood, with Colonel McCook and 
the First Ohio in the lead ; Colonel Tompkins and the New York 



194 



A HISTORY OF THE 



Second noxt, with the Third Ohio, under Colonel Harris, in the rear. 
The brigade proceeded in this way, exhibiting the utmost caution, for 
the distance of about a mile, when they struck a fine newlv opened 
rood to the left, whose clean, broad path seemed to invite their 
entrance. They turned into it, and followed it for some distance, 
when, to their surprise, it ended abruptly at a fence, with no evidence 
of any road beyond. Suddenly the enemy showed himself 'in two or 
three places to the left, and shaking his flags at our troops, opened a 
tremendous fire. It was promptly answered by the whole brigade, 
who endured the storra of balls with the greatest fortitude, and returned 
fire for fire. Several fell at this spot, and among others, the favorite 
drummer-boy of the Second. The poor little fellow Avas struck by a 
cannon ball, which took him just below the arm-pits, and literally cut 
him in.two, his childish shriek of pain mingling with the rifled shot as 
his little life went with it down the wind. The storm from the batte- 
ries seemed now to increase rather than to slacken, and unable to 
endure it in such an exposed position, the brigade fell, in good order, 
back upon the wood. General Schenck, who exhibited throughout 
the whole affair the most reckless bravery, now ordered his men to 
emerge, and charge the main battery by a flank movement; but, 
owing to the remonstrances of nearly all the officers, the desperate 
project was abandoned. The men, though now out of musket range, 
were yet subjected to the constant drop of shell, which seemed to 
have instinctively found out their leafy covert; so, after consultation, 
they were drawn off, and retired in good order to their position in the 
neighborhood of the Parrot gun, hearing on their way the thunder of 
battle on the right, with an occasional heavy report from Richardson, 
on the extreme left, to indicate that the enemy had been putting his 
feelers forward at Bull's Run, to try whether a movement to turn our 
rear wea'e practicable in that qnarter. 

The Shernuin Brigade, which had separated from the central 
column, and went off to the right at the same time that Schenck's 
Brigade set out in the opposite direction, had proceeded but a little 
way upon their errand, before they were saluted with fearful showers 
of shot and shell ; but receiving it only as a provocation, they overran 
two or three earthworks with their headlong charges, the Irishmen 
and Higlilanders screaming with excitement all the while, and the 
stout Wisconsians'and brave New York Thirteenth silently wading by 
their sides. 

THE FLANKING COLUMN. 

Immediately after leaving the central column, the Burnside Brigade, 
having the lead, threw out its skirmishers, and proceeded along at a 
brisk rate, preserving, however, common time, in view of the long 
distance to be made. The course, for the first four or five miles, was 
rather boldly to the right. It then inclined more gently to the nor h- 
ward, and then, after some eight or nine miles had been accomplished, 
curved sharp toward the left. The march was a most fatiguing one, 
and though shaded to a considerable extent by long stretches of close 
timber, much of it lay in the glare of the hot sun, and all of it had its 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



195 



share of stifling dust, except where we crossed the fields. But the 
men were hungry, and also very much fatigued, most of them having 
got but two or three hours' sleep the night before. Still they trudged 
cheerfully along, animated by the task before them, and made more 
elastic by the sound of the cannonade, which had for some time been 
heard, and which they were now sensibly approaching. In the 
brigade, nay, in the whole line, none heard this with higher spirits 
than the Seventy-first. About ten ©''clock, the head of the column 
came into an open country, and after proceeding in it for a mile, Capt. 
Ellis, of the Seventy-first, detected a masked battery about half a 
mile to the left; and bringing our glasses to bear upon it, we could 
also perceive the enemy moving to their positions through the woods, 
in considerable force. Soon after this. General McDowell came riding 
up, and orders were given that we should proceed at a more rapid 
pace, and an hour more brought the brigade close to the rattle of the 
strife. The column now made its final curve, and turning sharply to 
the left, faced the roar of battle as it came from the head of the cen- 
tral column, which, under the lead of the Sixty-ninth, was now press- 
ing its way toward us. The din of great guns and musketry at this 
l)oint was almost deafening, and the very earth trembled at the roar 
of the heavier artillery. JBurnside, who was forward, then sent an 
order to the Seventy-first to take its howitzers, and dash through a 
piece of woods, and form its position on the right of the Rhode- 
Islanders. Obeying the order with alacrity, the Seventy-first passed 
the JSTew Hampshire rften in their impetuosity, and emerged into the 
fire, while the Second New Hampshire formed in good order on the 
extreme right. 

The Rhode Island cannon were the first in position, and opened 
with good effect upon the battery that was pey)pering us with a heavy 
cross-fire from the left. The howitzers of the Seventy-first were next 
in play, and, between their heavy roar, the muskets of the brigade 
replied with interest to the similar salutations of the enemy. But the 
fire was most galling to us, from our exposed position ; and among 
those of the brigade who fell before it was General Hunter, sufficiently 
hurt to require his removal from the field. Burnside lost his horse at 
the same time ; while the charger of Governor Sprague had his entire 
head taken off with a shell, as his gallant rider was spurring him up 
and down the field. Captains Hart and Ellis, of Companies A and C 
of the Seventy-first, were likewise wounded in this fire, while bravely 
cheering on their men. " Cornelius," the faithful servant who had 
accompanied Colonel Yoshurg from New York, and who, more lately, 
adhered to his successor, sank gently down by the side of Colonel 
]\Iartin, and died from a rifle stroke just below the chest. Many others 
fell under that fearful hail,' but the regiment sternly stood its- ground ; 
such bold spirits as Captains Coles and Meschutt. Commissary Bor- 
rowe, and Lieutenants Oakley, Embler, Maynard, Denyse and others, 
giving cheer, by their staunch coolness, to the entire line. 

While the regiment was thus standing under fire, it came very near 
being thrown into confusion by the reckless conduct of Griffin's West 
Point Battery, which, without any sort of notice, tore through its line 



196 



A HISTORY OF THE 



in the rear, at top speed, in order to take up a position in the front, 
and thus actual!}^ cutting it in two. This discourtesy, to say the least 
of it, sprang, doubtless, from the contempt which the regulars are 
rapidly evincing for the volunteers; and, under ordinary circum- 
stances, would have justified the Seventy-first in firing on them in 
retaliation. The fire of the enemy came doubly hot just at this mo- 
ment; the regiment wavered slightly under it, and threatened for an 
instant to fall back. At this critical moment, an American flag sud- 
denly appeared within the redoubt that had done us our greatest 
damage, and that still kept up its storm ; but, seeing this signal, an 
order was given to cease firing, as we were shooting our friends. A 
further order was then made to advance our colors to the front; but, 
as it seemed to be certain death to stand exposed to the tornado which 
swept the brow of the hill, the color bearer naturally hesitated for a 
moment; whereupon several of Company F sprang quickly forward, 
with the exclamation: '« Give us the colors!" But Captain Coles, of 
Company C, was the foremost in the eflbrt, and seizing the flag, he 
ran with it full fifty paces to the front, and held it at arm's length high 
in the air, and then planted it on the earth. Its folds were hailed in 
the Rebel battery with a desperate yell, and in the next instant the 
bright banner was riddled with a shower of balls. Providentially, the 
gallant Captain was untouched. * * * * 

While the Seventy-first refreshed itself, the Sixty-ninth, which, with 
the Scotch regiment, the Wisconsin men and the New York Thirteenth, 
had been wading through batteries since their arrival on the field, 
marched past in splendid order, their banners flying as if upon review, 
and their faces sternly set on the advance. They passed down the 
hill obliquely to the right, on their road to support Griffin's battery, 
which was within two hundred yards of the artillery of the foe. 
Though silent as they passed, a shout rose in a few seconds afterward 
from the direction they had taken, which every listener could mark 
for theirs; and the spiteful one which responded from the Rebel bat- 
tery was soon quelled by the volume of their musketry. Most promi- 
nent among them was Meagher, the Irish orator, who frequently, 
during the contests of that turbulent day, waved the green banner of 
his regiment up and down the hottest line of fire. 

Porter's Brigade made its flank attack immediately to the right of 
the Seventy- first, going into the battle about eleven o'clock (half an 
hour later than the Burnside Brigade,) and performing its first duty by 
driving the enemy out of a piece of woods, and pursuing him, with 
loss, to a heavy battery which had partly raked the position of the 
First. ,The Fourteenth particularly distinguished itself in this attack, 
and received its highest encomiums from the Confederate prisoners, 
who said wherever those fellows in red breeches went, they strewed 
the earth with dead. In one of their charges their standard-bearer 
was shot down, and their general loss was heavy. Colonel Wood, 
Major Jordan and Captain Butt, of the engineers, behaved with espe- 
cial gallantry ; and all the rank and file exhibited the utmost steadi- 
ness and valor. The impetuosity, however, which chased the Con- 
federates to their holes, was severely taxed by a scorching volley that 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 197 

forced it, like all its comrades of the day, to fall back from those terriHc 
covers for temporary shelter. They soon emerged again, however, and 
with their entire brigade, in which the Eighth and Twenty-seventh 
struggled to emulate the Fourteenth in its daring, charged altogether 
on a new battery to the left. The attack was brilliant, but, staggering 
with fatigue, the poor fellows were forced to recoil from the overwhelm- 
ing storm, losing again a number of their men. It was the same story 
on all sidos — reckless and desperate attacks on roaring and blazing 
barriers, with an inevitable recoil of the inadequate and unsupported 
columns. It was noticeable that in all these perfectly desperate and 
almost frantic charges, there was seldom any flanking or sustaining 
force, and generally an entire absence of all division orders when the 
regiments were required to fall back. Each colonel had to hive, shel- 
ter and manage his own men, and to say the truth, the rank and file 
but too often, from the deplorable incompetency of their immediate 
officers, were required to do the thinking, the fighting, and the 
manoeuvring for themselves. 

We now come to the attack of the "Wilcox or Fire Brigade, consist- 
ing of the First Michigan, Thirty-eighth New York, and the far-famed 
Zouaves. This brigade, as I have before stated, made the widest flank 
circuit of the whole, and consequently did not take up its line-of-battle 
until half an hour later than the brigade of Porter, making its actual 
arrival on the field about twelve o'clock; all the worse for it, as it 
gave it the more weary march, and (under the excitement of the roll 
of battle) urged the last two miles at a most exhausting double- 
quick,^' or run. The brigade took up its position along a fence run- 
ning east and west, with the Eighteenth Michigan occupying the 
extreme left; the Scott Life Guard, or Thirty-eighth New York, under 
Colonel Ward, occupying the centre, supporting Griffin's battery, and 
the Zouaves holding the extreme right. No sooner had the brigade 
taken this position, than a rapid raking fire opened from a large battery 
on the left, while a heavy shot from the same quarter knocked over 
one of Griffin's guns, and killed five or six men. Upon this success, 
a body of sixty or seventy horsemen, with the vievi^ of taing advantage 
of the temporary confusion thus occasioned in our ranks, issued from 
the rear of a small clump of woods in front of the Zouaves, and, cir- 
cling to the front, made an attempt to break the ranks of the brigade. 
The movement, however, was seen by our men in sufficient time to 
meet it, and the entire of the three regiments leveled a united volley 
on its ranks. With the flash and discharge, every rider of the troop, 
but five or six, reeled from the saddle to the earth, and the horses, 
such as were not desperately wounded, madly ran away. One of them, 
a fine fellow, black as a coal, who was not in the least hurt, came tear- 
ing toward the Thirty-eighth, when it was caught, and immediately 
mounted by Captain McQuade. 

It was now nearly four o'clock, P. M., and the general battle seemed 
to have subsided ; nay, almost entirely to have ceased ; and nothing 
but an occasional great gun, and isolated flirt of musketry proclaimed 
its continuance in any quarter. The coat which had been chalked in 
conception of a boy, would not inclose the proportions of a man, and 



198 A HISTORY OF THE 

we were destined^ as is often the case with new beginners, to have our 
work turned upon our hands. This truth came soon ; for suddenly, 
as we -were resting, the roar of battle broke out again in every direc- 
tion, and batteries we had thought mute for ever, now opened with 
redoubled fury. The most terrific yells from the enemy accompanied 
the renewal of the conflict, and it became evident that, instead of 
having yielded to the untoward fortunes of the day, they had only been 
relreshing themselves v/hile pouring new regiments into their lower 
works. The Sherman Brigade, astounded by this new assault, was 
forced to retire from the position it had occupied ; but it retreated in 
good style, and being now entirely without orders, began to march otf 
toward the rear. 

They passed, on their road, the brigade of Schenck ; which, with 
the brigades of Howard and Franklin, had been since noon in the 
densest of the strife ; the Maine boys and the Vermonters having sig- 
nalized themselves especially by the enthusiasm of their charges; 
while none, during the tempestuous fortunes of that day, excelled the 
Minnesota and Fifth Massachusetts in the stubborn fortitude with 
which, again and again, they pressed through, and v/ithstt)od the 
fiercest fire. As the Sherman Brigade went by, Schenck's men stood 
breathing in the woods, the New York Second occupying a position 
on the left. The Sixty-ninth brought iip the rear of the temporarily 
retiring column; but its gallant Colonel, watchful of its welfare, lin- 
gered behind, and urged upon stragglers not to get separated from 
their commands. Be-paused for an instant to salute Colonel Tompkins, 
of the Second, who stood dismounted at a little distance from his regi- 
ment, on the opposite side of the road. Just at this moment, a large 
body of the enemy's Black Horse were seen making a charge toward 
them, though its immediate object was to attack Carlisle's battery, 
which, out of ammunition, stood limbered up in the centre of the road. 
The two Colonels watched the movement, and, transfixed with excite- 
ment as they saw the dragoons sabre the cannoniers, forgot to take 
measures for their own protection. 

It was eminently necessary that they should ; for the quick exploit 
upon the battery had scarcely retarded the black column in the least, 
and they came pouring upon the unformed columns of the Schenck 
Brigade. Promptly, however, the quick order of McCook shaped the 
First Ohio, and the others followed by instinct, showed a firm line, 
with bayonets all poised, and ready for the charge. The Black Horse 
looked for a moment, but, not liking that array of steel, they flirted 
ofi'to the right, (receiving a volley as they went,) and a squad of them 
made a dash to cut off the two colonels who were isolated in the road. 
Tompkins, who saw the danger coming, quickly sprang to a horse near 
at hand, and calling on Corcoran to follow, spurred him to a fence. 
The troopers, however, were too near for Corcoran's tired steed, and, 
whirling around the Irish Colonel, they took him captive, and bore 
him oft". A portion of the squad followed after Tompkins, but his 
spirited charger leaped two fences in fine style, and amid the crack of 
the dragoons' six-shooters, he got safe away. The brigade of Schenck, 
being now utterly fagged out, and being moreover entirely without 
orders, fell back upon the footsteps of the Sixty-ninth. 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



199 



In vain did our startled faculties dart alertlj' hither and thither for 
some hope; in vain did our thoughts turn quickly upon Patterson. 
It would not do. Johnson was there before us, with his cool, fresh 
thousands, and our Waterloo was lost. That steady and untired host 
outnumbered the whole of our worn and staggering columns, and it 
penetrated us with a conviction of resistless power. Decently, how- 
ever, did we gather up our force, not by general order, but by one 
sensible accord, and sad, and pained, and wearied, yet conscious of 
victory as far as we had fought, we folded up our columns for retreat. 
The only ones whose hardihood clung spitefully in the strife were a 
few regulars at the batteries, who, with the infatuation of experts, and 
begrimmed with the mire of battle from all ordinary recognition, kept 
peppering at such batteries as would still provoke their fire. 

Among the last to turn their faces from the fight they had so gaily 
sought, were the Burnside Brigade, which, accompanied by Sprague 
and its gallant Brigadier, and headed by all of its Colonels, retired in 
line of battle, with orders to cover the retreat. Though honored for 
its steadiness, the Rhode Islanders took off' their battery, and the 
Seventy-Tirst departed with its guns. All, thus far, had gone well 
with the departing movement, and our battalions from every portion 
of the field were retiring with decorum ; when, of a sudden, some of 
the persistent regulars who were charged with the protection of the 
retreat, getting out of ammunition, sent back their caissons for a fresh 
supply. I have described how that branch of the service made its 
charges in the morning, and how recklessly it always sought its way 
to the front, through the formed columns of the volunteers. . In the 
same manner did it now go back upon its errand, riding down every- 
thing in its road, and scattering the ranks of the regiments in every 
direction. The volunteers, who had never before seen such a sight, 
and who were already penetrated with the fearful pageant of the 
descending enemy, could only understand the movement in one way. 
Those flying carriages, and those madly excited men were rushing to 
the rear, and their action was, therefore, construed into a wild retreat. 

The thought which appealed to their agitated minds, was, that if 
the regulars were in such haste to escape, it was necessary they should 
hurry for themselves, and one fearful panic took possession of them 
all. The ranks of most of the regiments were broken, the streams of 
flying men commingled ; even officers who had behaved with courage 
throughout the day, felt justified, by the precipitation of the regulars, 
to urge their men, with a sympathising sense of pity, to hurry for their 
lives. Thus, mistake piled upon mistake, aggravated the misfortune, 
and culminated in a calamity which will rankle in the pride of the 
Republic throughout all her history. 

Having now, by the cotirse of this recital, carried the Federal army 
into and through all the perils of the wood, it will be necessary to get 
them entirely out. This brings us to the action of the reserve, and to 
the four regiments of Richardson, at Bull's Run. Of the latter, how- 
ever, I have only to say, that he prevented, by his presence, the enemy 
from turning our flank in that direction, while the New Jersey regi- 
ments were a safeguard against our being out-circled on our right, 
either at Centreville or by the way of Falls Church. 



200 



A HISTORY OF THE 



The regiments constituting the reserve, under acting Major-General 
(Colonel) Miles, I have already enumerated at the outset; and the 
battle, viewed Irom their position, would consist merely of a record of 
sensations. At five o'clock, F. M., however, the New York Sixteenth 
and Thirty-first, being well in advance towards Blackburn's Ford, were 
called upon to stem the tide of the Virginia cavalry, who were swoop- 
ing at our retreating forces. An order from Miles, consequently, sent 
the First Regiment, under Colonel Matheson, (jSTew York Thirty- 
second,) forward to their support; but though the cavalry was thus 
turned to the right about, it was found to be impossible to stem the 
mad career of the. extraordinary mass that came pouring back upon 
Centreville. The best that could be done, therefore, was for the 
California regiment to stay just where it was, and in absence of furthei 
orders, lend what aid it could to the protection of Green's battery, 
which was busily plying its fire upon the harassing aj)proaches of the 
Virginia horse. While the Thirty-second was in this position, the 
Sixteenth and Thirty-first having passed within its range, a youthful 
orderly rode up to Colonel Matheson to inform him that the Black 
Cavalry, sheltered from his observation by a piece of woods, were 
coming up on the right, and if he would take a cut with his regiment 
across the fields, they would be turned back upon their errand. 

The evolution was performed, gave the protection that was desired, 
and the Black Horse relinquished its purpose in that quarter. While 
the regiment, however, was adhering to this position, the same youth 
who had imparted the previous suggestion, rode up to the regiment 
again, and told Matheson he had better now fall back on Centreville, 
as his duty, at that spot, had been thoroughly performed. As this 
was about the first sign of orders (with one single exception) he had 
received during the entire day, Matheson felt some curiosity to learn 
who this young Lieutenant was, and whence these orders came ; he 
therefore turned sharply on the youth, who, he now perceived, could 
not be more than twenty-two or three, and said, "Young man, I would 
like to know your name ?" The youth replied that he was the son of 
Quartermaster- General Meigs. " By whose authority, then, do you 
deliver me these orders?" was the Californian's next inquiry. The 
young man smiled, and remarked, " Well sir, the truth is, that for the 
last few hours I have been giving all the orders for this division, and 
acting as General, too, for there is no General on the field." This 
incident is worthy of our notice among the lessons of the day. 

The enemy were so badly crippled, that they were unable 
pursue the retreatmg columns. The troops threw away every- 
thmg that incumbered their flight — gunS^, swords, knapsacks 
and overcoats ; their only object was to reach a place of 
safety, and that place seemed to be Washington. 

The Federal loss was nineteen officers, four hundred and 
sixty-two non-commissioned officers and privates killed ; sixty- 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



201 



four officers, nine hundred and forty-seven non-comroissioned 
officers and privates wounded : and nine hundred prisoners and 
missing. 

The following is a list of the principal Federal officers killed 
and wounded : 

Killed. — Colonel James Cameron, Seventy-ninth New 
York ; Colonel Slocum, Second Rhode Island ; Lieutenant- 
Colonel Haggerty, Sixty-ninth New York. 

Wounded. — Colonel David Hunter, U. S. Army; Colonel' 
S. P. Heintzelman, U. S. Army; Colonel 0. B. Wilcox, 
Michigan Volunteers, (taken prisoner:) Colonel Corcoran, New 
York Sixty-ninth, (taken prisoner;) Colonel H. W, Slocum, 
Twenty-seventh New York; Colonel H. M. Wood, Fourteenth 
New York ; Colonel Marston, Second New Hampshire. 

Two batteries (in all, ten guns,) were actually taken upon 
the field; seven, which were abandoned in the flight, were 
subsequently picked up by the enemy ; making seventeen guns, 
in all, that they took possession of. The whole force of artil- 
lery, of all calibres, in service on the Federal side, were forty- 
nine pieces, of which twenty-eight were rifled. 

The following is a list of the principal Confederate officers 
killed and wounded : 

Killed. — G-eneral Bernard-E. Bee, South Carolina ; Grene- 
ral Francis S. Bartow, Greorgia ; Colonel Nelson, Yirginia ; 
Colonel Fisher, North Carolina ; Colonel Mason ; Lieutenant- 
Colonel B. F. Johnson. 

Wounded." -G-eneral Kirby Smith ; Colonel Wade Hamp- 
ton; Colonel S. J. Gartrell, Yirginia; Colonel Jones, Ala- 
bama : Colonel Thomas, Colonel H. C. Stevens, Major E'obert 
Wheat, Louisiana ; Major Scott, Alabama. 

The correspondents of the Southern newspapers place the 
loss of the Confederates, in iiilled, at six hundred ; and the 
wounded at from two to three thousand. 
9* 



202 



A HISTORY OF THE 



CHAPTER XXI. 

THE BATTLE OP WILSON'S CREEK — DEATH OE GENERAL LYON. 

The defeat of the army of the Potomac at the battle of 
Bull's Run, had completely disorganized it, and had the enemy 
followed up the victory, Washington would most undoubtedly 
have fallen into their hands ; but, remaining on the battle field, 
simply content with a victory, at once proved their weakness, 
or a want of good generalship. 

It was evident, now, something must be done to reorganize 
the army, and restore to the defeated soldiers confidence and 
ardor. They felt that iehej were not to blame ; that they had 
fought fiercely, savagely, and when one masked battery after 
.another opened upon them, and poured its deadly hail in fear- 
ful showers upon them, rapidly thinning their ranks, they 
pressed steadily forward, and, at the point of the bayonet, 
silenced the enemy's works. There was a fault somewhere, and 
that fault the people loudly demanded should be remedied ; they 
scarcely knew where the fault of the defeat lay, whether in the 
incompetency of the ofiicers, or the demoralized condition of the 
army. It was, no doubt, these causes combined, that led to 
that disastrous result. 

It is a well-established fact, that from the time the army 
occupied Washington and Virginia, the officers neglected their 
men and themselves, and instead of observing that strict mili- 
tary rule that makes good soldiers, spent their leisure time in 
the hotels and saloons of the city, indulging in all sorts of 
dissipations and immoralities. Officers who had not passed the 
first simple rudiments of military knowledge, and who seemed 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



203 



to think that a man was a soldier when a pair of epaulettes 
were stretched across his shoulders, and a sword dangled by 
his side, and therefore disdained further study. The men 
followed the officers' examples, obtained paroles and passes by 
the score, and spent their time in the city, drinking bad 
whiskey, destroying their constitutions, and demoralizing their 
minds. The consequence of this state of afiairs was, a want 
of confidence in their officers, insubordination, and a total 
disregard of orders. An army commanded by good officers, 
in whom the men have confidence, and whom they are taught 
to obey, were never put to a total pell-mell rout, unless pursued 
and cut to pieces by overpowering numbers. But to fly from 
a defeated enemy, who is so crippled and disabled that pursuit 
is impossible, and who scarcely know they are the victors, for 
twenty-seven miles, is without a parallel. The causes, then, 
of this terrific panic must have been a want of confidence in 
officers, and a disregard of all military obedience. General 
McDowell's plans were complete, ai^, up to the arrival of 
Johnson, had been successful ; but when the battle was recom- 
menced, the incompetency of many officers was made manifest, 
and resulted in the ungovernable alarm of the troops, and for 
want of obedience, resulted in a rout instead of an orderly 
retreat. 

It has been well-established, that the cause of the defeat 
at Bull's Run, was the reinforcements of General Johnson 
reaching Manassas, just at the time the Union army was vic- 
torious ; whila General Patterson imagined General Johnson in 
force at Winchester, he had given Patterson a military dodge, 
and darted down to Manassas just in time to rally the enemy's 
retreating forces. Whether General Patterson could have 
held him in check or not, is a question that perhaps never can 
be settled. Had he made a demonstration on General John- 
son at that time, could he have defeated him, or would he have 



204 



A HISTORY OF THE 



been driven back to Maryland ? Had he attacked Wincliester 
and captured it during the absence of Johnson, could he have 
held it after the defeat of Bull's Run ? Greneral Patterson 
has declared to the people and the G-overnment, that his posi- 
tion was such that he could not have successfully held Greneral 
Johnson in check. In the absence of proof to the contrary, we 
must, in all charity to Greneral Patterson, as a man of military 
skill, admit the truth of his declaration. 

The brilliant victories of Greneral McClellan in Western 
Virginia, brought him prominently before the people as a suc- 
cessful and energetic officer, and immediately a demand was 
made that he should be placed in command of the army of the 
Potomac. He was immediately ordered, by the Grovernment, 
from the command of the division of Western Virginia, and 
offered the command of the disorganized army. He accepted 
it only on condition that he should be permitted to choose his 
own officers, which was at once granted. He ignored the 
practice that had been Jfollowed by the War Department, of 
Appointing men to high offices for political considerations, and 
determined that a man's claims to a military appointment, 
should be his military knowledge and ability. In a short time 
the organization of a larger army was completed, and men and 
officers compelled to remain in camp and attend to their duties. 
Confidence was soon restored to the minds of the people and 
the army, and many good results were derived from the defeat 
of Bull's Run. Though it gave the enemy a temporary suc- 
cess, it proved more valuable to the Union cause than a victory. 

The Confederate privateer Petrel (formerly the United States 
revenue-cutter Aiken,) left Charleston harbor on Saturday 
evening, the 27th of July, and was sunk in the mouth of the 
harbor on the following day, about fifteen miles south of Charles- 
ton light-house. The St. Lawrence, when coming up with the 
Petrel, who sailed within a mile of her before she discovered 



CIVIL WAR. IN THE UNITED STATES. 205 

her character, fired into the St. Lawrence, (at the officers, it 
was believed, upon the poop deck,) when the St. Lawrence 
returned a broadside of seven guns, one of the shot of which 
went entirely through the Petrel, and sunk her within fifteen 
minutes 5 when the boat of the Petrel, containing some men 
of her crew, was put out toward the St. Lawrence, at the same 
time displaying a flag of truce. This the men did not see, and 
continued to fire two or three shots with their small arms. 
They discovered by this time that the Petrel was in a sinking 
condition, and put out their boat and succeeded in saving thirty- 
six of her crew, including four of her officers. Eight of her 
men were drowned. The St. Lawrence was not injured in the 
least possible manner. 

About the 1st of August, G-eneral Lyon, who was actively 
engaged in following the Confederate forces in Missouri, 
obtained information that a large body of the enemy, under 
the command of General Price, were advancing north. He 
immediately set out to meet him, with the Second and Third 
Missouri regiments, the Fourth and Second Kansas, and the 
First Iowa. On the afternoon of Friday, the 2d, he came 
upon the enemy. A force of two hundred and seventy of 
G-eneral Lyon's cavalry were crossing a ridge of high land, 
partly enclosed on the east by a valley, and, when descending 
the hill, came upon a large force of the enemy's infantry, 
estimated at from two to four thousand, and being unable to 
retreat, they charged and cut their way through, with the loss 
of only five men. The Lieutenant commanding the cavalry 
was killed after killing eight of the Confederates. Meantime 
the enemy appeared in large numbers, moving along the valley, 
but they were put to flight by the artillery. The infantry was 
not engaged. The Confederates retreated southward to a 
place called McCullough's store, on the Fayetteville road. 
The Confederate loss was about forty killed, and forty wounded. 



206 A HISTORY OF THE 

Athens is a small village on the Missouri side of the Des 
Moines river, directly opposite the town of Croton, Iowa, 
a station on the railroad running west. There had been 
several hundred Union men in camp, the most of them citizens, 
who were being organized as Home G-uards, under the com- 
mand of Colonel Moore. At Croton, opposite, with no mili- 
tary guard, was a large quantity of army supplies, which the 
Confederates were extremely anxious to obtain. The Home 
Gruards had been reinforced by two companies of rifle rangers, 
sent out from Keokuk. On Monday morning the enemy came 
up in three divisions of eight hundred each, evidently to sur- 
round the camp, and compel its surrender. Colonel Moore 
placed two of his companies to the right, and with two more 
engaged the centre, while the Keokuk troops, only a few - 
moments on the ground, and with a scant supply of powder, 
engaged the left. The fight was continued an hour and three- 
quarters, and ended in the defeat and flight of the enemy, with 
a loss of twenty killed, and a number wounded. 

The battle of Wilson's Creek, which resulted in the death 
of G-eneral Nathaniel Lyon, occurred on the 10th of August. 
Wilson's creek is a small stream near Springfield, Missouri, 
and a point to which General Lyon moved his forces, five 
thousand two hundred strong, to meet the enemy, numbering 
twenty thousand two hundred, knowing that to retreat without 
crippling his antagonist would result in the utter destruction 
of his army. We extract the following account of the battle : 

• General Seigel, with six pieces of cannon, his own regiment and 
that of Colonel Solomon'-s, moved in a southerly direction, marching 
about fifteen miles, passing around the extreme south-eastern camp of 
the enemy, and halted till daylight, or for the sound of artillery from 
the north-west, to announce the opening of the battle. 

General Lyon, with the volunteers composing the Missouri First, 
Lieutenant-Colonel Andrews ; Iowa First, Lieutenant-Colonel Merritt ; 
Kansas First, Colonel Deitzler; and Second, Colonel Mitchell ; part 
of the Missouri Second, under Major Osterhaus ; and a detachment of 
twenty men from Colonel Wymau's Illinois regiment; three or four 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



207 



companies of mounted Home Guards ; a force of regulars about eight 
hundred strong, and two batteries of four and six pieces respectively, 
letX Springfield about eight o'clock, P. M., marching sloAvly along until 
2, A. M., when we halted for two hours, at which time Captain Gil- 
bert's company of regulars, and Major Osterhaus' battalion were thrown 
out as skirmishers on either side of the column, and we moved 
forward. 

Shortly after five o'clock, a party of Confederates, acting as a picket, 
was seen scattering over the hills to give the alarm ; but a portion of 
our column had already penetrated far enough to cut ofi" their route, 
unless they took a very circuitous one, in which case we should reach 
camp ahead of them. We soon came in sight of the valley in which 
they were encamped. A thousand tents stretching off into the distance, 
and partially screened from view by a hill jutting into an angle of Wil- 
son's creek, were before us, presenting as animated an appearance as a 
young city. The enemy's camp extended from the head of the 
valley, overlooked on the north, east and west sides by hills and ridges 
two or three hundred feet in height southward about a mile, thence 
eastward a mile and a half, and then southward half a mile, following 
the windings of the creek, along whose banks the gentle sloping hills 
on either side afforded the most excellent camping ground. 

Near the northern end of the valley lived John McJSTary, formerly 
from Indiana, who, finding the Confederates within five miles, packed 
up his few worldly goods, took his family, and started for the good old 
Hoosier State, where it is not a crime to be loyal to the Government 
under which we live. Not less than twenty or thirty families, living , 
on farms in the vicinity, started about the same time, most of them 
having little or no idea where they were going, except to escape from 
the danger which threatened them. 

The battle-field, where the most severe fighting was done, was along 
the ridges and hills on either side (mostly on the west) of the stream 
for the first mile mentioned above, where the creek runs in a southerly 
direction. 

As we crossed the hill on the north, moving in a southwesterly direc- 
tion. Captain Wright, with the mounted Home Guards, was sent to 
the east side, so as to cut off a par y of Confederates seen in that 
direction. Adjutant Hascock, with a glass, rode to the brow of the 
hill, where, looking down, he could see every movement of the enemy 
beneath him. His appearance in full view caused a great hubbub in 
the Confederate camp, which had already been thoroughly aroused b -' 
our appearance, and tents and baggage were hastily loaded and 
moved toward the south. We had completely surprised them. The 
evidence of that fact was everywhere visible ; but they had got quickly 
into line of battle — their clouds of cavalry were visible, and their 
twenty-one pieces of cannon were not long silent after ours had opened 
the engagement. 

On the sides of the first ridge on the western side of the valley. 
Colonel Blair's regiment, at ten minutes after six o'clock, encountered 
a heavy force of infantry, not less than a full regiment, and after a 
severe contest they gained the summit, and the defeated Conlederates 



208 



A HISTORY OF THE" 



dispersed rapidly, going in a direction which rendered it impossible 
for any considerable number of them to again participate in the battle. 
Totten's battery then threw a few balls as feelers, to draw out the 
enemy's cannon. 

Colonel Blair's regiment moved forward, and were soon mot by a 
well-equipped regiment of Louisiana troops, whom, after a bitter con- 
test of forty-five minutes, they succeeded in routing, though suffering 
severely themselves. Captain Lathrop's company of rifle recruits now 
assisted them, and together they, with Major Osterhaus' men, moved 
up the second hill, which was considerably larger than the first, and 
meetipg a third regiment, finally succeeded in driving them back, with 
the assistance of Totten's battery, and gained the summit. In this 
part of the fight the gallant Missouri volunteers acted bravely — indeed, 
no words of praise could more than do them justice. 

Of course, many acts of valor were performed not witnessed by me ; 
but among those I saw conspicuous were Captain G-ratz, leading his 
men agai»st overwhelming odds, and falling in death just as he had 
repulsed the foe. Lieutenant Murphy dashed forward ahead of the line, 
waving his sword high in the air, shouting onward to the almost waver- 
ing men, who gained fresh courage from the exhibition, and pushing 
forward, drove the enemy from the field. In this fight, many of our 
brave soldiers fell to rise no more, while Colonel Andrews had his 
horse shot from under him, and was wounded himself shghtly. Gene- 
ral Lyon suffered in a similar manner; Captains Cavender, Cole and 
Yates, each slightly, or at least not dangerously wounded ; Lieutenants 
Brown and Johnson, and Corporals Conant and Rogers, more or less 
severely wounded. 

During this engagement two companies of regulars were sent to the 
east side of the creek to engage a force which was operating against 
Capt. Wright's cavalry, sheltering themselves behind a fence. Captain 
Plummer and Captain Gilbert, with their companies, marched close 
up to the fence and delivered an effective fire, but were compelled by 
great odds to retire, which ihey did, but again renewed the attack. 
The enemy being largely reinforced, and having now at least three 
thousand men, jumped over in the corn-field, and Captain Plummer's 
gallant band was imminently threatened with annihilation. They 
retreated rapidly, firing as they did so, when Lieutenant Dubois, 
having got his battery under headway on the hill near the Missouri 
volunteers, seeing the position of affairs on tlie opposite side of the 
valley, threw in the most precise manner several shells, which exploded 
just as they reached the dense mass of secessionists, scattering them 
lifeless on the ground in scores, while all who could were glad to run 
for dear life. 

The gallant men in Colonel Blair's regiment were now ordered back, 
and their position taken by the Iowa First. General Lyon had pre- 
viously had a poor opinion of the fighting qualities of these men, 
formed more from supposition than upon any real failure in duty, but 
now the time had come for him to reverse his judgment, which he did 
after their first repulse of the enemy. They fought like tigers, drove 
the enemy back, and followed up the advantage gained for a eonsidera- 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



209 



ble distance. Captain Mason, company C, was killed soon after his 
regiment was engaged. Lieutenant Piircell was mortally wounded. 
Major Porter and Colonel Merritt, gallantly cheering on their boys, 
escaped unharmed. The Kansas First and Second regiments were 
now ordered forward to support the right flank, of the lowas. 

Colonel Green's regiment of Tennessee cavalry, bearing a secession 
flag, now charged upon our wounded, who were partially guarded by 
one or two companies of infantry. Seeing the movement, Captain 
Totten poured a few rounds of canister into their ranks just in time to 
save our sick men from being trampled to death, dispersing the Con- 
federates so completely, that nothing more was seen of them. 

General Lyon now desired the Iowa boys, whom he had found so 
brave, to prepare to meet the next onset of the enemy with the bayo- 
net immediately after firing. They said, " Give us a leader, and we 
will follow to death." On came the enemy in overwhelming numbers, 
confident of victory over such a meagre force. No time could be lost 
to select a leader. «« I will lead you," exclaimed Lyon. Come 
on, brave men;" and placing himself in the van, received a fatal 
bullet just at the pit of the stomach, which killed him instantly. The 
lowas delivered their fire, and the enemy retired, so there was no need 
of charging bayonets. 

General Lyon's body was carefully picked up, and conveyed toward 
the ambulances by two of his body guard. In his death, as in his 
life, he was the same devoted, patriotic soldier, regarding his own life 
as of no value if he could not rescue his country. His body was 
embalmed, and sent to his friends in Connecticut. There was no 
feeling of depression on the part of the troops at the unexpected cala- 
mity, but rather a feeling of quiet determination to revenge his death. 
On the Tuesday night previous, he had arranged for a night attack 
upon the enemy, but singularly found himself delayed two hours 
behind the proper time for starting, by rumors of a skirmish on the 
prairie west of town, and the attack was postponed. "Wednesday he 
said to me — " Well, I begin to believe our term of soldiering is about 
completed. I have tried earnestly to discharge my whole duty to the 
Government, and appealed to them for reinforcements and supplies ; 
but, alas ! they do not come, and the enemy is getting the advantage 
of us." He then called a council of war, at which there was nearly 
an unanimous voice for evacuating Springfield. 

General Sweeny plead eloquently against such a course, declared it 
would be the ruin of the Union cause in that quarter of the State, and 
urged a battle as soon as the enemy were within striking distance. He 
also pointed out the loss of reputation, both to the General and his 
officers, which would follow such a step. This counsel decided the 
course to be pursued, and Thursday, when the Brigade Quartermaster 
inquired when we were to leave Springfield, General Lyon replied, 
" JS"ot before we are whipped " This was the proper course to pursue. 
If he retreated without a battle, he would certainly have been pur- 
sued by a boastful and unpunished enemy, and very likely have his 
retreat entirely cut ofi". After being- wounded, he exclaimed to Major 
Schofield, " The day is lost;" but the Major said, "No, General, let 



21D 



A HISTORY OF THE 



US try once more." So they tried, and the General fell. It was now 
a little after nine o'clock, and the battle had raged with a fierceness 
seldom if ever equaled, for over three iiours. The smoke hung like a 
storm-cloud over the valley, a tit emblem of -r-ourning for the de- 
parted hero. 

" lie sleeps his last sleep, he has fought his last battle, 
No sound shall awake him to glory again." 

The battle raged for two hours more, the command devolving upon 
Major Sturgis. The enemy made repeated attempts to retake the 
heights from which they had been driven, but were gallantly repulsed 
each time. The Kansas regiment behaved with a bravery seldom or 
never equaled, forming ambuscades for the benefit of the Confede- 
rates, by lying flat on the ground until the enemy came near enough 
^ for them to see their eyebrows, when they would pour a deadly volley 
into their opponents, and again remain in possession of the field. The 
last repulse of the enemy was the most glorious of all, and was par- 
ticipated in by members of every regiment on the field. The eijemy 
came fresh, and deceived our men by bearing an Union flag, causing 
them to believe that Seigel was about making a junction with our 
forces. Discovering the ruse just in time, our gallant boys rushed 
upon the enemy, who, with four cannon belching forth loud-mouthed 
thunder, were on the point of having their efforts crowned with suc- 
cess, and again drove them, with great loss, down the slope on the 
south side of the hill. 

Captain Totten's ammunition was now nearly exhausted, and placing 
Dubois' battery upon the hill at the north end of the valley. Major 
Sturgis ordered the ambulances to move toward town. The infantry 
and Totten's full battery followed in good order, and were not pur- 
sued by the enemy, who was evidently glad to be let alone. 

Among the prisoners taken was a surgeon living in St. Charles 
county. He was immediately released, and Dr. Melcher accompanied 
hira to the Confederate generals, arranging for the return of our 
wagons to bring in our wounded and dead. Lieutenant-Colonel 
Horace H. Brand, of the First Regiment, Sixth Division, who com- 
manded the Confederate force at Boonville, and who said he was now 
acting as aid to General Price, was taken prisoner early in the day. 
The Illinois Twentieth made themselves useful by guarding the pri- 
soners. One of them had a horse shot under him. 

When General Seigel, who commanded the eastern division, heard 
the roar of Totten's artillery, he at once attacked the enemy in his 
quarter, driving him half a mile, and taking possession of his camp, 
extending westward of the Faj^etteville road. Here a terrible fire was 
poured into his ranks by a regiment which he had permitted to advance 
within a few paces of his own, supposing it to be the Iowa First. His 
men scattered considerably, and Colonel Solomon's could not be ral- 
lied. Consequentl}-, Seigel lost five of his guns, the other being 
brought away by Captain Flagg, who compelled his prisoners, some 
sixty in niHftber, to draw the artillery off" the field. 

Our troops took some four hundred horses and about seventy pri- 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



211 



soners, and compelled the enemy to burn nearly all his baggage, to 
keep it from falling into our hands. The enemy had twenty-one 
j)ieces of cannon, and at the last twenty-six, including those taken 
from Seigel. They were not worked with precision; every shot, for 
nearly an hour, going nearly twenty teet over our heads. 

Our army reached Springfield in safety, and is now preparing to 
move toward RoUa, but with no hopes whatever of reaching there. 
With a baggage-train five miles long to protect, it will be singular, 
indeed, if the enemy does not prove enterprising enough to cut oli' a 
portion of it, having such a heavy force of cavalry. With two more 
regiments we should have driven the enemy entirely from the valley, 
and with a proper cavalry force, could have followed up such a vic- 
tory with decisive results. 

Our loss is about two hundred killed, and six or seven hundred 
"wounded, while the loss of the enemy must have been double our 
own. Dr. Schenck, who was in the Confederate camp at a late hour 
last evening, bringing away our wounded, reports our men compara- 
tivel)'" few with those of the enemy, whose dead were lying thick under 
the trees. " 

The army successfully retreated to Springfield, and from 
thence to Rolla, the enemy being unable to pursue it. 



212 



A HISTORY OF THE 



CHAPTER XXII. 

GENERAL FREMONT IN MISSOURI — EXPEDITION TO HATTERAS 

INLET. 

, The death of Greneral Lyon was deeply deplored, and his 
loss at a moment so critical had a depressing influence. His 
brilliant achievements were still vivid in the minds of the 
people, and to him they had looked to clear the State of Mis- 
souri of the enemies of the country. As the story of his 
death and the causes which led to the battle were circulated, 
there arose from beneath all the appearance of a most glaring 
and dangerous neglect by the War Department of this gallant 
and skillful officer. The question was often asked, why he 
had not sufficient force to protect the State and his army 
against the immense army of the enemy. But it was never 
satisfactorily answered, and the mind involuntarily turned 
toward the "War Office for an explanation. Other portions of 
the army had been abundantly reinforced, equipped and well 
armed ; but Generals Lyon and Seigel, bold, daring, brave 
and competent officers, were neglected, and compelled to fight 
an enemy five time^ their own strength, to save the Federal 
forces from utter destruction, and cripple the enemy so that it 
could not pursue and harass them. To accomplish this, the 
battle of Wilson's Creek was fought, and General Lyon 
sacrificed his life for his country's good. But the army wa? 
saved, and covered itself with glory, and that fact alone makes 
the name of General Nathaniel Lyon immortal, while General 
Seigel, who shared in the perils of that day, still lives to add 
new glory and honor to his already great fame. 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



218 



Amid the gloom that pervaded the country after the defeat 
of Bull's Run, and the death of Greneral Lyon, there came an 
occasional gleam of sunshine. 

On the 7th of August, Captain Kennedy, of the New York 
Nineteenth, belonging to General Banks' division on the upper 
Potomac, .was informed that a company of Stewart's Con- 
federate cavalry were oppressing the Union men in Loudon 
county, Virginia. With detachments amounting to one hun- 
dred men, he crossed the Potomac at Rock Ferry, and marched 
seven miles to Lottsville, arriving at the town about daylight. 
Ascertaining that the enemy had departed, they retraced their 
route about two miles, and lay in ambush until two o'clock, 
expecting the enemy would return. Becoming weary of 
waiting, they again started toward camp. When about three 
miles from the river, they were overtaken by a boy, who in- 
formed them that one hundred and thirty of Stewart's cavalry 
had entered the town. They were tired, hungry, and almost 
shoeless, but with one unanimous cheer they determined to 
face about and attack the foe. Startmg at a double-quick, 
they soon gained the town, and taking the advamtage of a 
corn-field, they rested a few minutes, and then charged on the 
Confederates, driving them from the place, with a loss of one 
killed and five wounded. 

On the 13th, at Grafton, Virginia, fifty Federal troops of 
the Fourth Virginia Regiment, under the command of Captain 
Dayton, were attacked by a Confederate force numbering 
about two hundred men, commanded by Zacharia Cochran. 
After a sharp engagement, the enemy were defeated with a 
loss of twenty-one killed and a number wounded. No Federal 
loss. 

General Fremont had returned from Europe, and was ap- 
pointed to a Major-Generalship, and placed in command of the 
Western Military Division, head-quarters at St. Louis, Mis- 



214 



A HISTORY OF THE 



souri. Grreat expectations were entertained of the success 
attending his appointment. Immediately on assuming com- 
mand of his Department, Greneral Fremont proclaimed the 
State of Missouri under martial law, and on the 30th of 
August, he issued a proclamation that assumed very broad 
grounds. He declared that the property of all persons who 
had taken up arms against the Federal- Grovernment should he 
confiscated, and their slaves be made freemen. This propo- 
sition seemed to be departing from the policy laid down in the 
President's Inaugural Address, and from the avowed policy of 
the Republican party. Adhering strictly to the principles 
upon which he was elected, not to interfere with the local 
institutions of any State, the President, on the 11th of Sep- 
tember, modified the proclamation of General Fremont, so as 
to meet the provisions of the Confiscation Act, passed by the 
extra session of Congress in July. The law specifies that 
whenever slaves are employed in or upon any fort, navy yard, 
dock, armory, ships or entrenchments, or in any military or 
naval capacity, against the Grovernment of the United States, 
the person 'owning said slaves shall lose all right to their 
future services. 

Grreat preparations were made by Greneral Fremont to carry 
on the war in the West, and enormous sums of money ex- 
pended without any perceptible results, except the erection 
of fortifications at St. Louis, and building a fleet of gun-boats. 
For reasons best known to the Grovernment, he was relieved of 
the command of the Western Division on the 2d of November, 
and Major-Greneral Hunter placed in authority. 

Greneral Fremont was believed to be a capable and efficient 
officer, competent to command with ability the troops placed 
under him. With a strong and valiant army, full of enthu- 
siasm and valor, he had pursued the enemy into the south-west 
of Missouri, determined to give him battle, and if possible 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



215 



annihilate his already demoralized forces ; but before proving 
himself competent or incompetent to command a large force on 
an extended battle-field, he was removed from the command. 
He was beloved by his troops, and they were deeply grieved 
at his removal. 

On the 20th of August, the Eleventh Ohio Regiment had 
stationed themselves -about eight miles beyond Grauley, in the 
Kanawha valley, Virginia, and erected barricades around their 
position. During the day a force of Confederate troops about 
four thousand strong, advanced on their position, and after a 
sharp engagement were driven back with a loss of fifty killed, 
a large number wounded and taken prisoners, and several 
horses and equipments captured. Federal loss, none killed, 
and two wounded. 

- In Missouri, on the 20th, Col. Hecker started from the town 
of Ironton, surrounded a force of four hundred Confederate 
troops before breakfast, defeated them without loss on the 
Federal side, took twelve prisoners, captured all their camp 
equipage, and ate the breakfast the Confederates had prepared 
for themselves. 

On the night of the 20th, in the southern part of the State 
of Missouri, Col. Dougherty, commanding a portion of the 
Twenty-second Illinois Regiment, and accompanied by Col. 
Ramson, of the Eleventh Illinois, made an attack at Charles- 
ton upon the Confederate troops about seven hundred strong, 
under the command of Col. Hunter, of Jeff. Thompson's army. 
After a slight skirmish, the Confederates fl.ed, with a loss of 
forty killed, and seventeen prisoners. Federal loss, one killed. 
The Federal troops had been sent upon this expedition from 
Bird's Point, Missouri, by order of Greneral Fremont. 

We again turn to Western Virginia, where a sharp battle 
was fought on the 26th of August. The Ohio Seventh Regi- 
ment was encamped at a place called Summersville, under 



216 



A HISTORY OF THE 



the commaDd of Col. Tyler. The Federal troops were not 
aware of the immediate proximity of the Confederate forces, 
and had not taken sujQicient precaution to prevent a surprise. 
While at breakfast on the morning of the date above, thej 
were surrounded by a Confederate force, consisting of three 
thousand infantry, four hundred cavalry and ten guns. They 
were attacked on both flanks and in front, but stood bravely 
up to the contest, notwithstanding the immense strength of 
the enemy. During the engagement. Col. Tyler sent a mes- 
senger to the approaching baggage train, and turned it back. 
They fought their way through the enemy's ranks with dread- 
ful slaughter. They were scattered during the battle, but 
after cutting through, they formed in line of battle and again 
fired on the Confederates, but receiving no answer, they re- 
turned to the main body of the army. The enemy did not 
pursue them. The Federal loss was about two hundred killed, 
wounded and missing. They captured the enemy's colors, and 
two prisoners. 

For some time the Grovernment had been making extensive 
preparations for an expedition somewhere along the Southern 
coast. At the time of its departure its destination was un- 
known, and much anxiety was felt concerning it. The naval 
part was under the command of Commodore Stringham, a native 
of the State of New York, and a brave and accomplished officer. 
The land forces were under the command of Major-General 
Butler, of Massachusetts. The following vessels composed 
the fleet: — Wabash, Captain Mercer; the gun-boats Pawnee, 
Captain Rowan ; Monticello, Commander Gillis, and the Har- 
riet Lane, Captain Faunce ; with the transports Adelaide and 
George Peabody, conveying troops to the number of about a 
thousand. 

On the 29th, the fleet rendezvoused off Cape Hatteras Inlet, 
on the coast of North Carolina. The place was defended by 



i 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 217 

two forts, Hatteras and Clark, and garrisoned by about eigbt - 
hundred Confederate troops. It was a point into which the 
Confederate privateers were in the habit of running with 
perfect safety, as well as vessels that run the blockade. The 
Grovernment believed that by stopping this hole, it would cut 
off one vein that had kept the Southern Confederacy alive. 

Three hundred men were landed through a heavy surf, and 
took a position on shore ; the war vessels then run within 
range of the batteries, and the battle commenced. We make 
the following extract from a detailed description of the battle : 

At ten o'clock the Wabash fired the first gun, the eleven-inch shell 
striking near the battery, and bursting with tremendous force. The 
battery, which was of sand, covered with turf, and mounting five long 
thirty-two's, instantly returned the fire, the shot falling short. The 
Minnesota and Cumberland immediately opened fire, and rained nine 
and eleven-inch shell into and about it. The fire was terrific, and soon 
the battery's responses were few and far between, save when the 
frigates suspended fire for a while to get a new position, when the 
enemy's fire was most spirited. 

No damage was sustained by our ships, and when they again took 
their position the cannonading was intensely hot, the shells dropping 
in the enemy's works or falling on the ramparts, exploding in death- 
dealing fragments, and carrying death and destruction with them. 
The small wooden structures about the fort were torn and perforated 
with fiying shells. At eleven o'clock, the immense flagstaff was shot 
away, and the Confederate flag came down, but the fire was still con- 
tinued by them. 

At twelve o'clock the Susquehanna steamed in, and dropping her 
boats astern, opened an efl'ective fire. The cannonading on our part 
was incessant, and the air was alive with the hum and explosion of 
flying shell ; but the enemy did not return the fire with any regularity, 
the battery being too hot for them, from the explosion of shells that 
dropped in at the rate of above half a dozen a minute. The enemy 
ceased firing a little before two, and after a few more shells had been 
thrown in the Commodore signalized to cease firing. 

The troops had meanwhile advanced to within a short distance of 
the fort, and before we ceased firing some of our men got in and raised 
the stars and stripes. The place was too hot for the men, but the flag 
was left waving. Coxswain Benjamin Sweares, of the Pawnee's first 
cutter, stood for come time on the ramparts waving the flag amid a 
flight of shells. When the firing ceased, the fort was occupied in 
force and held afterward. 

The Monticello had proceeded ahead of the land force to protect 
them, and had reached the inlet, when a large fort, of an octagon shape, 

10 



218 A HISTORY OF THE 

to the rear and right of the small battery, mounting ten thirty-two's 
and four eight-inch guns, which had till then been silent, opened on 
her with eight guns, at short range. At the same instant she got 
aground, and stuck fast, the enemy pouring in a fire, hot and heavy, 
which the Monticello replied to with shell sharply. For fifty minutes 
she held her own, and finally getting off the ground she came out, 
having been shot through and through by seven eight-inch shells, one 
going below the water-line. She fired fifty-five shells in fifty minutes, 
and partially silenced the battery. She withdrew at dusk for repairs, 
with one or two men slightly bruised, but none killed or wounded. 

The escape of the vessel and crew was miraculous. Until this time 
we supposed the day was ours; but the unexpected opening of the 
large battery rather changed the aspect of affairs. Things did not 
look cheerful at dark. We had men ashore who were probably in 
need of provisions, and in case of a night attack, no assistance could 
be sent thein from the Harriet Lane. As we lay close in shore we 
saw the bright bivouac fires on the beach, with groups of men around 
them. The night passed without an alarm, the enemy laying on their 
arms all night, expecting an attack. 

At early daybreak on Thursday, the men went to quarters in the 
fleet, and at a quarter past eight, the vessels having borne d(iwn nearer 
than the previous day's position, the action began ; the Susquehanna 
opening the day's work by a shell from one of the eleven-inch guns. 
The Minnesota and Wabash joined in immediately, and again the hum 
of the shell and their explosion were heard. They fired nearly half 
an hour before the battery responded, when it answered briskly. Our 
fire was more correct than on the previous day. The range had been 
obtained, and nearly every shot went into the battery, throwing up 
clouds of sand, and exploding with terrific effect. 

At twenty-five minutes past ten, the Harriet Lane opened fire, and 
soon after the Cumberland came in from the offing, and joined in the 
attack. The Harriet Lane, with her rifled guns, did good execution, 
several projectiles from the eight-inch shell going into the battery, 
and one going directly through the ramparts. The fire was so hot 
that all of the enemy that could do so, got into a bomb-proof in the 
middle of the battery. Finally, at five minutes past eleven, A. M., 
an eleven-inch shell having pierced the bomb-proof through a venti- 
lator, and exploded inside near the magazine, the enemy gave up the 
fight, and raised over the ramparts a white flag. We immediately 
ceased firing. General Butler went into the inlet, and landed at the 
fort, and demanded an unconditional surrender. 

Commodore Barron, Assistant Secretary of the Confederate Navy, 
asked that the officers be allowed to march out with side arms, and 
the men be permitted to return to their homes after surrendering their 
arms. *These terms were pronounced inadmissible by General Bucler. 
and finally the force was surrendered without condition. Articles of 
stipulation were signed on the flag-ship by Commodore Stringham and 
General Butler on the part of the United States, and by Commodore 
B i ron. Colonel Martin and Major Andrews on the Confederate side, 
and the latters' swords delivered up. 



CIVIL WxVR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



219 



Thirtj-one cannon, nineteen hundred stand of arms, and- 
seventy-five kegs of powder were captured. 

The following are the names of the captured officers : 

Commodore Samuel Barron, late Captain United States 
Navy, Assistant Secretary of the Navy. 

Colonel Bradford, Chief of Ordnance. 

Colonel Martin, Seventh North Carolina Volunteers. 

Lieutenant-Colonel Johnston, Seventh North Carolina Vol- 
unteers. 

Major Henry A. Gillman, Seventh North Carolina Volun- 
teers. 

Major Andrews, Artillery, late United States Army. 

Lieutenant Sharp, late United States Army. 

And several others, late Army and Navy officers, and six 
hundred and sixty-five non-commissioned officers and privates. 

This victory caused a tremendous panic in the South, for 
they felt that the Federal Grovernment was able to strike a 
heavy blow at any time and any place upon the Southern coast. 
In the North it was hailed with deligJit-, and the one prevail- 
ing sentiment was, " Give it to them again." 



'220 



A HISTORY OF THE 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

RETREAT OF GENERAL FLOYD — CAPTURE OF LEXINGTON, 
MISSOURI, BY THE CONFEDERATE ARMY. 

For some time a town known as Boon Court House, in 
Western Virginia, had been occupied by about six hundred 
Confederate troops, who were very annoying and troublesome 
to the surrounding country. On the first of September they 
were attacked by two regiments of Federal troops, under the 
command of Captain Wheeler, and after a short skirmish, they 
were routed, with a loss of thirty-five killed, several wounded, 
and five prisoners. Twenty-two horses and a considerable 
quantity of arms were captured. The Federal loss was six 
wounded. The town was then completely destroyed. 

On the 4th of September, about six hundred Federal troops 
were, at a place called Shelbina, Blissouri. During the day, 
they were attacked by a Confederate force of about three 
thousand five hundred men, with two pieces of artillery, under 
command of Martin E. Green. For two hours the Federal 
forces held the enemy in check, anxiously expecting reinforce- 
ments from General Hurlbut; but being overcome by the 
superior numbers of the enemy, and the reinforcements failing 
to arrive, they were compelled to retreat, with a loss of horses, 
wagons and camp equipage. 

Turning our attention again to Virginia, we find that on the 
11th of September a skirmish took place at Lewinsville, on 
the line of the army of the Potomac protecting Washington. 
A reconnoitering party of the Nev/ York Seventy-ninth, under 
Colonel Stevens, advanced as far as the town of Lewinsville, 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 221 

whore they were met by a force of the enemy composed of four 
regiments of Virginia troops, including Stewart's cavalry. A 
sharp engagement took place ; but the Federal forces having 
accomplished the object of the expedition, retired in good 
order, with a loss of six killed, and seven wounded. 

On the 12th, Greneral Rosencranz, with a strong reconnoi- 
tering force, came upon about five thousand of the enemy, 
under Greneral Floyd, and strongly intrenched, with sixteen 
pieces of cannon mounted, at Carnifix Ferry, on the Grauley 
river. Greneral Benham attacked the outposts of the enemy, 
and drove hem back on the lines. The Confederates then 
opened on the Federal troops with their cannon, using shell 
and grape. The battle continued five hours, when night came 
on, and put an end to the conflict. The Federal troops lay 
on their arms all night, determined to renew the attack in the 
morning, and drive the enemy from his works. In the morn- 
ing an advance was again made upon the works, but they 
were silent ; and when entered by the Federal troops, it was 
discovered that the enemy had fled, leaving his camp equipage, 
tents and arms. In his flight, the enemy had destroyed the 
bridges across Grauley river, and thus prevented pursuit. The 
Federal loss was sixteen killed — Colonel Lowe, of the Twelfth 
Ohio, among them — and ninety-seven wounded. 

General Reynolds had intrenched himself at a place called 
Elkwater, in Western Virginia. About the 12th of Septem- 
ber, Greneral R. E. Lee, commanding about nine thousand 
Confederate troops, commenced a series of strategic movements 
to drive the Federal troops from their position. After several 
days' skirmishing, the enemy retired, with a loss of about one 
hundred killed. During one of the skirmishes, John A. 
Washington, a relative of the immortal Greorge Washington, 
and the parsimonious and miserly owner of Mount Vernon, 
the home and grave of that illustrious patriot, was killed ; a 



222 



A HISTORY OF THE 



fitting end to the life of one who had made himself obnoxious 
to his fellow-countrymen, and blackened the illustrious name 
he bore with infamy. The Federal loss was none killed, two 
missing, and sixty prisoners. 

A portion of the Pennsylvania Eighth Regiment were posted 
at a place called Prichard's Mill, on the upper Potomac. On 
the 15th of September, they were attacked by a strong detach-^ 
ment of Confederate troops, and after a brisk engagement, the 
enemy were driven off, with a loss of eighteen killed, and a 
number wounded. 

After the departure of the Federal troops from Boonville, 
Missouri, its only defence was a body of Home Guards, num- 
bering about one hundred and fifty, commanded by Capt. Epp- 
stine. About the 13th of September, they were attacked in their 
intrenchments by a force of six hundred Confederate troops, 
under the command of Colonel Brown. A brisk engagement 
followed, which resulted in the defeat of the Confederates, 
with the loss of Colonel Brown, and ten privates killed, and 
thirty wounded. 

Missouri has been the field of many hard-fought battles, 
and its soil has been wet with the blood of many good and 
noble men, who fell in defense of their homes and their 
country. Five hundred and seventy of the Third Iowa 
Begiment, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Scott, 
were posted at a place called Blue Mills, and on the 17th 
of September they were attacked by a Confederate force 
amounting to four thousand five hundred strong. The Federal 
troops were intrenched, and had but one piece of artillery. For 
an hour they withstood the charges of the overwhelming num- 
bers opposing them ; but finding themselves too weak to suc- 
cessfully sustain their position, they retreated in good order, 
and occupied a better one. They were then reinforced by the 
addition of fourteen hundred troops, under Colonel Smith, and 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 223 



pursued the Confederates, who had retreated during the ni-ght. 
The Federal loss was sixteen killed, ninety-four wounded, 
and six missing. 

At Morrattstown, a body of Confederate troops, four hun- 
dred strong, were routed with a loss of seven killed, by the 
Federal Torces, numbering about six hundred. One hundred 
horses, all the tents of the enemy and their provisions were 
captured. Federal loss — Colonel Johnson and two privates 
killed, and six wounded. 

The most severe contest of the war, and one in which the 
greatest amount of valor and desperate bravery bad been dis- 
played, was at Lexington, Missouri. At this place. Colonel 
James A. Mulligan was posted with about three thousand six 
hundred men. He had strong intrenchments erected on the 
hill commanding the town, and in these he had five pieces of 
artillery and two mortars. He had under his charge a large 
number of horses, army stores to the amount of $100,000, 
and $900,000 in specie, belonging to the Missouri banks. On 
the 16th of September he was surrounded by a Confederate 
force, under the command of Governor Jackson and Greneral 
Price, amounting to twenty thousand men. They immediately 
made a charge on the Federal works, but were repulsed with 
great loss. Finding they could not capture the works by 
assault, they endeavored to ciit off the supply of water. In 
this attempt they were again unsuccessful, and driven back 
with great slaughter. Believing, however, their only hope of 
success lay in depriving the garrison of water, they procured 
bales of hemp and rolling these before for a protection against 
the unerring aim of the Federal troops, they obtained a posi- 
tion that commanded the river, and cut off the supply of water. 
Still the garrison did not surrender, but continued to fight, 
though almost perishing from thirst. Hoping that succor 
would be sent them by General Fremont, from St. Louis, 



224 



A HISTORY OF THE 



the brave Mulligan and his band fought on, quenching their 
thirst with vinegar, and almost suffocated by the stench arising 
from horses killed within their works. For five days they with- 
stood the assaults of this huge army, and for fifty-nine hours 
they fought without water. At length, despairing of succor 
reaching them, and driven to desperation for the want of water, 
they surrendered to the enemy : three thousand five hundred 
men as prisoners of war. Federal loss — twenty-five killed and 
seventy-two wounded. The loss of the enemy was about 
twelve hundred killed and wounded. All the property under 
the care of Colonel Mulligan, and about three thousand stand 
of arms fell into the hands of the enemy. 

No authentic reasons have ever been made public why Grene- 
ral Fremont did not push forward to the assistance of Colonel 
Mulligan. It was reported that he had not a sufficient force 
to meet an enemy so strong. But Generals Lyon and Seigel 
had met the same enemy, when he was equally as strong, with 
a force little stronger than that of Colonel Mulligan's, and so 
crippled him that he could not pursue the Federal troops, who 
were leisurely retreating before him in an open field. It is a 
fact beyond dispute, that Greneral Price and his men had such 
a horror of the Federal troops, that when met by a force of 
any consequence in comparison to their own, retreat was the 
order. It is a fixed opinion in the public mind, that had a 
small force fallen upon the Confederate forces, after meeting 
with such obstinate resistance from Colonel Mulligan, that they 
would have retreated, and the gallant Colonel and his valorous 
band been saved from the necessity of surrendering. 

On the 24th, five hundred of the Fourth Ohio Regiment, 
with one piece of artillery, and seventy-five of the Ringgold 
Cavalry, under the command of Colonel Cantwell ; four hun- 
dred of the Eighth Ohio Regiment, under Colonel Harte,made 
an advance from New Creek, Western Virginia, toward Romney. 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 225 

At a place called Mechanics ville Gap, they came upon a body 
of the enemy, seven hundred strong, and completely routed 
them ; they then advanced on Romney. The town was defended 
by about fourteen hundred Confederate troops, composed of 
infantry and cavalry. They immediately attacked the enemy's 
lines, and, after a short engagement, drove them to the moun- 
tains, with a loss of thirty-five killed, and a number wounded. 
Federal loss — three killed and ten wounded. 



226 A HISTORY OF THE 



CHAPTER XXIV. 

ATTACK ON THE ZOUAVES AT FORT PICKENS — BATTLE AT 
BOLIVAR HEIGHTS. 

On the first of October, an attack was made by Colonel 
Engart, commanding a detachment of Ohio and Virginia troops, 
on the Confederate forces at Chapmanville, Virginia, and, 
after a brisk skirmish, completely routed the enemy. In his 
flight from the attacking force, the enemy ran afoul of Colonel 
Hyatt, who, in turn, accelerated their movements by attacking 
them furiously. In the two contests, the enemy lost one hun- 
dred killed, a large number wounded, and seventy prisoneS'S. 

In Western Virginia, Greneral Reynolds was moving briskly 
among the mountains, and giving the Confederate forces con- 
siderable trouble. On the 3d of October, he made a recon- 
noissance in force, in front of the enemy's intrenchments at 
Buffalo Hill, on the Grreenbriar river. His force consisted of 
five thousand men, with which he made the attack upon the 
enemy's lower intrenchments. They drove him from his posi- 
tion, and following up his success, found the enemy strongly 
fortified, and receiving reinforcements. The Federal troops 
then withdrew, with a loss of ten killed, and thirteen wounded. 

After the capture of the forts at Hatteras Inlet, about three 
hundred and fifty Indiana troops were landed at Chicomaco- 
mico. North Carolina. On the 3d of October, the enemy landed 
a force of about two thousand five hundred, and attacked 
the Federal troops, capturing all their tents and baggage, and 
taking fifty prisoners. They were, however, compelled to 
retire without capturing the whole force. On the 5th, they 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



227 



landed a force sufficiently strong, as they supposed, to warrant 
success. They had just engaged the brave Indianaians, when 
the steamship Monticello drew up within range, and poured 
such a shower of shot and shell upon them, as to create a 
most inglorious stampede. During three hours the Monticello 
sent among them two hundred and eighteen shot and shell, 
creating a terrific slaughter, but the Federal troops were saved. 

Following around the coast, we come to Fort Pickens, in 
the State of Florida, commanded by Colonel Brown. During 
the summer, the fort had been invested by the Confederate 
Greneral Bragg, of Buena Vista notoriety, (the man who Grene- 
ral Taylor, at that memorable battle, ordered to give the 
enemy "A little more grape,") with the evident intention of 
reducing it. The enemy had occupied Forts McRae and 
Barrancas, and placed in position heavy guns, bearing on Fort 
Pickens. They had erected strong batteries on the main land, 
extending in a semi-circle for several miles ; the whole line of 
works mounting, perhaps, two hundred guns. Grreat prepara- 
tions had been made to bombard the fort, and, according to 
the declarations of the Confederates, it was to suffer the fate 
of Fort Sumter. Various days had been appointed by the 
enemy to open fire ; but finding Colonel Brown, assisted by 
the war vessels in the harbor, ready to open the contest with 
them, it was postponed from day to day. From six to eight 
thousand troops were constantly kept in the works, or close by, 
Greneral Bragg fearing that a less force might not be effective. 

Among the reinforcements sent to Colonel Brown, was a 
regiment of Zouaves from New York city, known as " Billy 
Wilson's Zouaves." The regiment was composed of the most 
daring and desperate men of the city, reckless, brave and 
fearless. This regiment was encamped on Santa Rosa Island, 
near the fort. On the night of October the 9th, a force of 
fifteen hundred of the Confederates made an excursion to the 



228 



A HISTORY OF THE 



island, landing upon the extreme northern end of it, and 
under cover of the trees and underbrush, they advanced 
upon the unsuspecting Zouaves, and attacked them about two 
o'clock in the morning. The force of the Zouaves in camp 
was only about two hundred and fifteen, the remainder being 
on special duty. The attack was so sudden and unexpected, 
that the enemy advanc^ed upon the camp and fired it. The 
Zouaves, however, fought bravely, and being reinforced by 
two companies of regulars from the fort, they drove the enemy 
from the island, with terrible loss. Twenty-one dead were 
left on the island, and thirty-five prisoners. According to 
the enemy's published account of the battle, they lost three 
hundred and fifty killed, wounded, and missing. Federal 
loss — sixteen killed, twenty wounded, and ten prisoners, 
among them Major Yogdes. 

Colonel Brown waited for the enemy to open his batteries, 
but they observed a stolid silence. After this event, however, 
the Federal batteries opened on the enemy, bombarding him 
for two days, and destroying many of his works, and burning 
the Pensacola Navy Yard. The fort sustained no damage or 
loss whatever. 

Moving still further around the coast, we come to the mouth 
of the Mississippi river. The blockading squadron on this 
stalion consisted of the war-ships Richmond, Huntsville, 
Water- Witch ; sloops-of-war Preble, Yincennes, and the 
steamship Nightingale. For several months the Confederate 
Commodore Hollins, at New Orleans, had been preparing a 
formidable fleet of fire-ships, and an impregnable steam ram, 
called the Manassas, to attack the Federal fleet, and by burn- 
ing and sinking the vessels with the aid of the ram, to exter- 
minate it. This steam ram Manassas, was a sort of mud- 
turtle-shaped concern, and about as rapid in its movements as 
its model ; was made round over the top and sides with heavy 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



229 



timber, and coated with railroad iron. In front was a project- 
ing snout, not unlike the head of a turtle, protruding from its 
shell, which was intended to penetrate the sides of vessels, on 
the water-line ; it was armed with two guns near the bow. 

With several j&re-ships, and this strange and useless piece 
of naval architecture, the gallant Commodore, on the night 
of October the 12th, descended the Mississippi river, and 
came in contact with the fleet. The war vessels quietly 
dropped down the stream, out of the range of the fire-ships, 
while the Richmond received one blow from the ram 5 but, 
contrary to the expectations of the enemy, the Richmond did 
not sink, but with two guns beat off this formidable fleet, and 
without any loss or injury, except the starting of a plank, 
where the monster struck her. 

We return again to Virginia, along the line of the upper 
Potomac. On the morning of the 16th, the Confederate troops, 
about two thousand strong, commanded by Colonel Turner 
Ashby, appeared at Bolivar Heights, at Harper's Ferry, on 
the opposite side of the Potomac from the Federal lines, and 
began an attack with artillery. The Third Wisconsin Regi- 
ment crossed the river, and attacked the enemy, drove him 
back, and captured a thirty-two-pounder Columbiad. They 
were set upon by a force so strong that they were compelled to 
retire and leave the gun. Colonel Geary crossed to the 
assistance of the Wisconsin troops, and again drove the enemy 
back, and re-captured his battery and the thirty-two-pounder 
gun. 

Colonel Geary sent the following dispatch to his command- 
ing General : 

Sandy Hook, October 16. 

I have just ridden into camp on a thirty-two-pounder cap- 
tured from the enemy at Bolivar. 

John W. Geary. 



230 



A HISTORY OF THE 



The loss of the enemy was about fifty killed, and one hun- 
dred wounded. The Federal loss was four killed, and seven 
wounded. 

On the 16th, Major Gravitt, of the Indiana cavalry, attacked 
the Confederate forces near Pilot Knob, Missouri, but they 
were too strongly posted. He was afterward reinforced by 
Colonel Alexander, with six hundred Illinois infantry. The 
The enemy followed up the Federal forces, fighting as they 
proceeded, until they fell into an ambuscade, and were com- 
pletely defeated, with a heavy loss. 

A sharp engagement took place at Big Hurricane Creek, 
Carroll county, Missouri, on the 19th. Colonel Morgan with 
two hundred and twenty men, and two guns, defeated about 
four hundred Confederate troops, with a loss of eighteen killed, 
and eight prisoners. 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



231 



CHAPTER XXy, 

BATTLE OP ball's BLUFF. 

For several miles above and below Harrison's Island, Groose 
Creek and Edwards' Ferry, the river flows through rugged 
passes, and is surmounted on either side by high bluffs, many 
of which are densely wooded ; affording fine opportunities for 
the erection of defenses by the Confederates wherever there 
may be a necessity for them. Groose Creek is a stream of 
considerable size, flowing through Loudon county, and empty- 
ing into the Potomac, four miles east of Leesburg. Pooles- 
ville is about five miles back from Conrad's Ferry, and forty 
miles north-west from Washington city. From Conrad's to 
Edwards' Ferry is about six miles. The Alexandria and Lou- 
don Railroad, the upper portion of which is controlled by the 
Confederates, is not of much importance to them, as it has no 
connection with any other road, except at Alexandria. Frpm 
the vicinity of Vienna, they can use it to Leesburg j but with 
the limited transportation power in their possession, it is of 
little importance. The country on either side of the river in 
the vicinity is sparsely populated. 

The Virginia side of the Potomac in this region was occu^ 
pied by the Confederate forces, whose pickets frequently 
appeared on the high bluffs overlooking the river, and in full 
view of the Federal forces. 

Harrison's Island, on which there are several farms and 
farm-houses, is about two-thirds of the distance from the 
Maryland side, leaving two hundred yards of the Potomac 
flowing between it and the Virginia bank. The current is 



232 



A HISTORY OF THE 



strong, and the river deep. On the Virginia side of the river, 
and opposite this island, is the bluff known as Ball's Bluff, 
and made memorable as the spot where patriotic, good and 
loyal men poured out their blood in defense of their homes 
and their country. We extract the following account of the 
battle : — • 

On Saturday night last, Colonel Devin, of the Fifteenth Massachu- 
setts, who had for some time guarded Harrison's Island with one 
company, ordered Captain Philbrick, of Company H, and Quarter- 
master Howe, of his staff, with a detachment of two hundred men, to 
scout the Virginia shore, in the direction of Leesburg. They crossed 
from the island to the shore, and executed the order by approaching 
within three-fourths of a mile of Leesburg, returning to their starting- 
point about ten o'clock at night, discovering, as they supposed, a 
small camp about one mile or more from Leesburg. 

On reporting to Colonel Devin, the latter, with about three hundred 
men, pushed forward, by direction of General Stone, in the same 
locality, with orders to destroy the camp. At daybreak, the scouts 
returned to Colonel Devin, who remained with his command con- 
cealed, and word was sent back that no enemy was in sight ; Captain 
Philbrick's company taking an advanced position, while the remaining 
companies were concealed, as a reserve, in case of an attack on the 
advance. When about a mile and a half from the river, and live hun- 
dred yards in advance of Colonel Devin-'s reserve, Captain Philbrick, 
accompanied by Colonel Devin in person, attacked and drove back a 
company of Mississippi riflemen, and then fell back to the reserve, 
concealed in the rear, on the appearance of a body of Confederate 
cavalry. In the skirmish, Captain Philbrick had a difficulty in getting 
near enough to the enemy for his smooth-bore guns to have much 
effect, whereas the others used long-range rifles on our forces. 

At daylight, and the same hour that Colonel Devin's command left 
the shore to make the advance, Colonel Lee, of the Twentieth Massa- 
chusetts, sent over one company of his regiment, which remained on 
the shore, to cover the return of Colonel Devin. The Colonel, how- 
ever, maintained his ground, and was reinforced, during the morning, 
by three hundred more of his regiment, under Lieutenant-Colonel 
Ward. About one o'clock, he was attacked by a considerable force 
of riflemen, who attempted to outflank him. 

Fearing that they might be successful, and after resisting them for 
some time. Colonel Devin slowly retreated in perfect order to the 
river, where General Baker had arrived with a battalion of the Cali- 
fornia Regiment, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Wistar. 

General Baker then took command, first complimenting Colonel 
Devin for his success/ul resistance to a superior force, and giving his 
command, now less than six hundred men, the right of the line of 
battle, the centre and left being formed of about three hundred of the 
Massachusetts Twentieth, under Colonel Lee, and the California batta- 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



233 



lion, about five hundred in number, under Lieutenant-Colonel Wistar. 
Two mountain howitzers, commanded by Lieutenant French, and 
one piece of the iSTew York battery, commanded by Lieutenant Bram- 
hall, were in front of the centre just previous to the commencement 
of the action. 

The attack was commenced by the enemy on our right, but was 
soon directed more heavily to the centre and left. For about two 
hours the battle raged terrifically, and a complete shower of leaden 
hail fell. Three several times the left of the line made an advance, 
but was compelled to retire as often. The right was better protected, 
and held their position. 

An order came from General Baker to throw two companies of the 
Fifteenth Massachusetts to the centre, which was immediately exe- 
cuted. This produced the impression that the battle was going against 
us, but caused no confusion or dismay. 

The left was hard pressed, but remained firm. About this time the 
news spread that General Baker was killed. "While in the act of push- 
ing a cannon forward, with his shoulder to the wheel, he was pierced 
by six balls. He was evidently the object of the enemy's sharp- 
shooters. After this there was a cessation of the fire for a few 
minutes, during which Colonel Cogswell, of the.Tammany Regiment, 
arrived with two companies, and he, being the senior oflacer, the com- 
mand devolved on him. 

In a short time it became evident to Colonel Cogswell that the day 
was lost, and he thought it best to cut his way through to Edwards' 
Ferry, where General Gorman was in charge, throwing over reinforce- 
ments by direction of General Stone, who was within sight of the 
battle-field at Edwards' Ferry; directing the general movements. An 
order was now issued to transfer the Fifteenth Massachusetts from the 
right to the left, which Avas executed as calmly as at a battalion drill. 

Colonel Cogswell soon became satisfied of the impossibility of 
reaching Edwards' Ferry, as desired, and gave an order to fall back 
toward the river, which was executed as well as circumstances would 
permit. They reached the river bank about twenty minutes before 
nightfall. Here the Fifteenth deployed as skirmishers along the shore. 

The only means of conveyance to the island was a large boat capable 
of carrying about forty persons, which was overcrowded and swamped. 
The troops remaining along the shore made a desperate resistance, 
and it is believed that the enemy took comparatively few prisoners in 
consequence. Those who could swim plunged into the water, many 
carrying their arms with them, and others throwing them into the 
river, to prevent them falling into the enemy's hands. Some escaped 
by availing themselves of the darkness and the heavily-wooded banks ; 
biit several are known to have been drowned in the waters of the 
Potomac. 

The behavior of our troops before a superior number of the enemy 
was marked by noble bravery and endurance. Near the close of the 
action, and after the day was considered irretrievably lost, the two 
companies of the Tammany Regiment, which had just arrived, made a 
desperate charge on the enemy, but were met with a terrific fire. 



234 



A HISTORY OF THE 



The Federal loss in this engagement was about eight 
hundred killed, wounded and missing. The Confederates 
acknowledged a loss of three hundred killed and wounded, 
and by multiplying this acknowledged loss by three or four, 
we may in all probability arrive at the more correct figures. 

Again the people were called upon to mourn the loss of a 
brave and noble man, Colonel E. D. Baker, commander of the 
California Eegiment. He was one who, with his wise and 
patriotic counsels in the deliberate councils of the nation, was 
listened to with profound attention, and in the camp was loved 
as a kind and amiable commander, and on the field of battle 
was acknowledged as a brave and valorous officer. He was 
one of the United States Senators from the State of Oregon, 
and on account of his holding the office of Senator, he could 
not accept from the United States Government a commission 
as a Brigadier G-eneral, without resigning the former office. 
Desirous of serving his young State, who needed his wisdom 
and his influence, and wishing to aid his Government in its 
struggle against her fo«s, he contented himself with the posi- 
tion of a Colonel. He was a man of powerful eloquence, 
shrewd and clear logic, comprehensive and convincing in 
argument. His soul being "enlisted in the cause of his 
country, he dealt with her enemies as sharply with his elo- 
quence and logic as he did with his sword. He was loved as 
a citizen, honored as a statesman, and immortalized as a 
soldier who died in defense of his country, her rights and her 
honor. 

There is a terrible responsibility resting somewhere in con- 
sequence of this battle, and the immense slaughter of troops 
by an overwhelming enemy, pouring their thousands of" rifle- 
men upon a foe whose retreat was most eff'ectually cut ofi". 
That there was great neglect in some direction was most 
palpable and conclusive, and however much we may attempt 



CIVIL AVAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



i235 



to veil the catastrophe to our arms, we cannot hide from it 
that one hideous fact. 'If the commanding general desired to 
make a reconnoissance into the enemy's country, and innocently 
sent a force across the river for that purpose, was it not first 
his duty to provide a safe and speedy transport to and fro 
across a deep and rapid stream 1 That there was not sufficient 
transport in case a hasty retreat from overpowering numbers 
of the enemy was necessary, is a fact, or sufficient means to 
reinforce the brave but faltering troops is equally true. 
Driven back by the hail of lead from the enemy, the troops 
found themselves upon the margin of the river with death 
before and behind them, and escape entirely cut off. Their 
position was awful, and as the enemy pressed upon them, the 
slaughter became more terrific, and had night not come to 
relieve them, and the enemy too cowardly or humane to pursue 
them, they would have been annihilated. Where the respon- 
sibility of this battle rests we cannot say, and if it ever comes 
to the knowledge of the people, future history must record it. 



236 



A HISTORY OF THE 



CHAPTER XXYI. 

BATTLE AT FREDRICKTOWN, MISSOURI — CHARGE OP ZAGONl'S 
CAVALRY — CAPTURE OF ROMNEY, VIRGINIA. 

On the 23d of October, an engagement of some importance 
took place near Fredricktown, Missouri, between a force of 
Federal troops numbering about four thousand, commanded 
by Colonel Carlin, Colonel Ross and Colonel Baker, and a 
Confederate force of six thousand, commanded by Jeff. 
Thompson. 

The Confederates were posted about one mile below the 
town on the Grreenville road. At this point a ravine crosses 
the road, and in this the enemy had taken a position. Their 
artillery was posted so as to command the road, and sweep it 
on the approach of the Federal troops. The battle, however, 
was short, and after a sharp fight of two hours, the enemy 
were completely routed, and started on their retreat south- 
ward, having sustained a loss of two hundred killed and left 
on the field of battle. Four heavy cannon were captured. 
Colonel Lowe, the leader of the Confederates, was killed. 
Federal loss, six killed, and forty wounded. The enemy were 
pursued twenty-two miles by the Federal troops. 

Greneral Fremont's forces had advanced southward, and 
were in the vicinity of Springfield, Missouri. On the 24th, 
Major Zagoni, of Fremont's Mounted Body Gruard, with one 
hundred and fifty men, made a reconnoissance in the vicinity" 
of Springfield, and found the Confederate troops, amounting to 
about two thousand men, drawn up in line of battle in the town. 
The Major determined to have a fight, and in passing through 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



•237 



a lane to reach the enemy, was compelled to throw down 
several fences while under their jSre. When the road was 
cleared, he charged the enemy with such fury that they broke 
and run, being completely routed and driven from the town. 

The following is the Major's report to the Greneral com- 
manding : 

Five miles out of Bolivar, ) 
10 o'clock A. M., Oct. 25. J 

G-ENERAL : — I report, respectfully, that yesterday, at four 
o'clock P. M., I met in Springfield, about two thousand rebels, 
formed in line of battle. They gave us a very warm reception, 
but your guard, with one feeling, made a charge, and in less 
than three minutes the enemy was completely routed by one 
hundred and fifty men. We cleared the city of every rebel, 
and retired, it being near night, and not feeling able to keep 
the place with so small a force. Major White's command did 
not participate in the charge. I have seen charges, but such 
brilliant unanimity and bravery I have never seen, and did 
not expect. Their war cry, " Fremont and the Union," broke 
forth like thunder. 

(Signed,) Charles Zagoni, 

Major Commanding Body Gruard. 

From the commencement of the war until the latter part of 
the summer, Kentucky had maintained a neutral position, or 
at least her Grovernor tried to force her into a position so 
ridiculous. But at two different elections she declared 
herself loyal by immense majorities, and willing and ready to 
stand by the Federal Union. During her effort at neutrality, 
her soil was invaded by the Confederate forces, who esta- 
blished themselves in camps at divers places, and strongly 
fortified their positions. 

On the 6th of September, Greneral Grrant took possession 
of Paducah, on the Ohio river, with a Federal force of about 
two thousand men. Troops from Indiana and Ohio were sent 
to the southern part of the State, to circumscribe the opera- 



238 



A HISTORY 0¥ THE 



tions of the Confederate General Zollickoffer, who had ap- 
proached from the State of Tennessee. Generals Buell and 
Nelson were sent toward the Tennessee line, and placed in 
command of the Federal forces. 

Nothing of importance occurred, except an occasional 
skirmish, until about th^ 23d of October, when a sharp en- 
gagement took place between a force of Federal troops amount- 
ing to about two thousand, under Colonel Gerrard, and a force 
of Confederate troops about five thousand strong, under 
General Zollickoffer. Colonel Gerrard was encamped at a place 
called Camp Wild Cat, and was attacked by Zollickoffer, who 
made three charges, but was repulsed each time with heavy 
loss. Finding his efforts to carry the position of the Federal 
troops by assault unavailing, he retreated, having sustained a 
loss of about two hundred killed and wounded. Federal loss, 
thirty killed and wounded. 

Kentucky was now firmly attached to the Union, and her 
borders became the theatre of a bloody war, and many of her 
brave sons fell defending to the last their homes, and the 
glorious old flag under whose folds Kentuckians had won 
fame and glory. 

Again we turn to Western Virginia, to find that the Federal 
arms have been victorious. The town of Romney has become 
quite prominent in the history of the war, as a point at which 
there has been considerable fighting. It was captured from 
the Confederates by the Indiana Volunteers, under command 
of Colonel Lewis Wallace, on the 11th of June last, but 
reverted to them upon the withdrawal of General Patterson's 
division from Virginia. It is situated upon the great North- 
western Virginia turnpike, running from Winchester to Par- 
kersburg, on the Ohio river, being about forty xuiles west of 
Winchester, one hundred and ninety-five miles north-west of 
Richmond, and thirty miles below Cumberland, on the Balti- 



CIYII. WAR TN THE UNITED STATES. 



239 



more and Ohio Railroad, fifty-eight miles north-west of 
Manassas Junction, and about ninety miles north of west 
from Washington. The town was established by law in 1762, 
and laid out in streets and half-acre lots by its founder, Lord 
Fairfax Much of the surrounding country is mountainous 
and unproductive. 

On Friday night, the 25th of October, Greneral Kelly started 
with a strong force, to attack the Confederate forces entrenched 
at E-omney. New Creek, the point from which the Federal 
troops marched, is a small village on the Baltimore and Ohio 
Railroad, about twenty miles west from Cumberland, and 
about eighteen miles from Romney. 

On Saturday afternoon he came upon the enemy, under the 
command of Colonel Armstrong, laying behind their intrench- 
ments, waiting the attack. The assault of the Federal troops 
was furious, and after a defense of two hours the enemy fled, 
having been completely routed. They left all their wagons, 
camp equipage, three pieces of cannon, two hundred horses, 
and four hundred and fifty prisoners. Federal loss — one 
killed, and five wounded. The town was taken possession of 
by the United States troops, and strongly fortified. 

After the defeat and retreat of Floyd on the 12th of Septem- 
ber, Greneral Rosencranz encamped on the Grauley river, 
naming it Camp Tompkins. As the enemy had destroyed the 
country bridge, and the bridge of boats, in his retreat after a 
former engagement, the Federal forces were prevented from 
pursuing him. On the 1st of November, the enemy returned, 
and from the opposite side of the river, and near the junction 
of Grauley and New rivers, opened his batteries on the Federal 
camp *from two points. A number of shells were thrown 
among the troops, without any serious results. The bombard- 
ment continued for two days between the two forces, some of 
the enemy's batteries being silenced. This engagement par- 



210 



A HISTORY OF THE 



took more of the nature of a reconnoissance and skirmish than 
a battle. An effort was made to surround and capture the 
enemy, but he quickly retreated. 

On the 7th of November, an expedition started from Cairo, 
Illinois, under the command of Grenerals Grant and McCler- 
nand, with a force of Federal troops amounting to three 
thousand five hundred men. The enemy occupied a place 
called Belmont, in the State of Missouri, and on the west side 
of the Mississippi ' river, and opposite Columbus, Kentucky. 
At the latter place they had an army of twenty thousand men. 
At Belmont their force was about seven thousand, under the 
command of General Cheatham, and were strongly intrenched. 

The Federal force consisted of the following Illinois Regi- 
ments : — Twenty-second, Colonel Dougherty ; Twenty-seventh, 
Colonel Buford ; Thirtieth, Colonel Foulks : Thirty-first, Col. 
Logan ; Seventh Iowa Regiment, Colonel Lamon ; Taylor's 
Chicago Artillery, and Dollen's and Delano's Cavalry. They 
left Cairo on the steamers Alexander Scott, Chancellor, Mem- 
phis, and Keystone State, accompanied by the gun-boats 
Lexington and Tyler. After landing they were formed in 
line of battle, General McClernand in command of the Cairo 
troops, and Colonel Dougherty of the Bird's Point troops. 

They were encountered by the Confederates, seven thousand 
strong, and fought every inch of their way to the enemy's 
camp, making havoc in their ranks. Colonel Buford was the 
first to plant the Stai's and Stripes in the enemy's works. 
Colonel Dougherty's regiment captured the enemy's battery 
of twelve pieces, two of which were brought away. Colonel 
Foulke's men sufi'ered greatly, as they were in front of the 
batteries before they were taken. , 

The camp was captured, with all their baggage and stores, 
and was destroyed by fire. The battle lasted until sundown, 
when the Federal troops were ready to withdraw. After 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



241 



having destroyed the enemy's camp, it was discovered that 
they were crossing over from Kentucky, for the purpose of 
attacking the Federal forces in the rear. The order was given 
to return to the boats, when the men were attacked by the 
reinforcement of several thousand from Columbus. 

Another severe engagement took place, in which the Federal 
troops suffered seriously. They retreated, however, in good 
order, being protected by the guns of the boats. The Federal 
loss was about three hundred killed and wounded. The loss 
of the enemy was about three hundred killed and wounded, and 
one hundred and fifty prisoners. 

What object was to be gained by this battle has never 
officially transpired, nor do we see that any benefit to the 
Federal cause resulted from it. If it was to capture Belmont, 
and hold it against the enemy, and ocxjupy it as a Federal post, 
there was a great lack of management, and a want of proper 
preparation. When the enemy had been driven out of his 
works, and he appeared with reinforcements, the victorious 
forces were compelled to retire from the field of victory with 
great loss, why not reinforce the Federal troops and hold 
the position gained ? If this was impracticable, why engage in 
an expedition that must prove unsuccessful, and cost the lives 
of many good men ? 



11 



242 



A HISTORY OF THE 



CHAPTER XXVII. 

CAPTURE OF FORTS WALKER AND BEAUREGARD AT PORT 
ROYAL. 

On the 23d of October, a large naval expedition sailed from 
Annapolis, Maryland, for some point on the Southern coast. 
The naval forces were under the command of Commodore 
Samuel F. Dupont, senior flag ofi&cer. The land forces were 
under the command of Greneral Thomas W. Sherman. It 
comprised eight steam and sailing frigates, sixteen steam gun- 
boats, and thirty-four armed steam and sailing transports, 
mounting in all four hundred guns. The land forces amounted 
to about fifteen thousand troops, with several thousand 
seamen. 

On Monday, the 4th of November, the fleet rendezvoused 
off the entrance of Port Royal harbor, on the coast of South 
Carolina. This point is between Charleston, in the former 
State, and Savannah, in the State of Greorgia; being, by water, 
forty-nine miles from the former place, and twenty- two from 
the latter. The weather was boisterous, and the fleet was 
compelled to lay off the harbor until Thursday, the 7th. 

The harbor was protected by two Confederate forts, strongly 
built, and well mounted with heavy guns. Fort Walker was 
the largest, and mounted twenty-three guns. Two miles and 
a half distant, and in a direct line across the channel, was a 
second fort, mounting eighteen guns, and called Fort Beaure- 
gard. This harbor was one of the in-and-out places of the 
Confederate privateers, and a dodging-in point for vessels 
running the blockade. When the weather was in proper con- 



CIVIL WAR. IN THE UNITED STATES. 243 



dition, the vessels of war formed in line of battle, and entered 
the harbor. We make the following extract from a detailed 
account of the engagement : — 

The wind blew gently from the north-east, and scarcely a 
ripple disturbed the surface of the water. Early in the morn- 
ing, the Confederate gun-boats took up their former position 
at the entrance of the bay, and six large river steamers, sup- 
posed to contain troops, passed backward and forward in the 
offing, occasionally approaching the fortifications on either 
side. At nine o'clock the signal was given by the Wabash to 
raise anchor, and in half an hour afterwards all the vessels 
were under way, the flag-ship leading, and the Susquehanna, 
Mohican, Seminole, Pawnee and others following according to 
their size. 

The fleet had scarcely got within range of the batteries, 
when that on Bay Point opened fire, and not more than a 
minute elapsed before the Hilton Head fortification rained forth 
a terrible shower. For a few moments, in pursuance of n pre- 
viously-formed determination not to waste a shot, the Wabash 
and the rest steamed silently on, receiving their fire, regard- 
less alike of bursting shells, humming projectiles and whirring 
round-shot, which plunged into the water from a quarter to 
half a mile away. The distance between the two fortifications 
is two miles and six-tenths, and the water makes a swift pas- 
sage through the straits between them. 

The current was setting in when the engagement com- 
menced, and as none of the vessels could remain stationary 
before either battery, unless they had anchors out, it was 
determined that the forts should be passed, and fired into 
alternately. Accordingly the vessels entered the bay on the 
northern side, not more than eight hundred yards from Bay 
Point battery, into which each delivered fire from its starboard 
guns. Then they swept around in a circuit of a mile or a 
mile and a half, and bore down toward Hilton Head, upon 
which the contents of the port broadsides were thrown. The 
four larger vessels alone performed this manoeuvre, while the 
remaining eight gun-boats participating in the i3attle took 
positions about a mile north of the fortifications, into which 
they threw unceasingly a destructive enfilading fire. 



244 



A HISTORY OF THE 



From my point of observation, on the Atlantic, about three 
miles from the combatants, the operations, both afloat and 
ashore, were very well seen by the aid of a powerful telescope 
belonging to the engineer corps of the expedition. 

After the first attack upon Bay Point, during which several 
ricocheting shells burst plumply within the battery, and others 
in tree-tops far beyond it, scattering destruction amid the 
soldiers who were concealed in the vicinity, the vessels com- 
paratively neglected it, allowing it to blaze away with only an 
occasional rejoinder, while they devoted themselves to extin- 
guishing the fire at Hilton Head. 

In describing their circuit and delivering the fire, the 
steamers, each time, consumed about an hour. As the Wabash 
came down on the second round, she thundered forth her 
salutations at a distance of not more than six hundred yards 
from the battery, and, as her shells exploded, large columns 
of dust would rise, indicating the point where the fragments 
struck and ploughed the ground. On the third round, I am 
told that she approached two hundred yards nearer than 
before, and made awful havoc, sending shells in various parts 
of the woods within a range of three miles, in order that the 
Confederates, supposed to be concealed there, might be driven 
from their hiding places. 

What is true respecting the firing of the Wabash is also the 
fact regarding the Susquehanna, Mohican, Yandalia, and others. 
Each vessel discharged her broadside at the shortest possible 
range, loading and firing probably three times before she 
passed the battery. I took occasion several times in the early 
part of the battle to count the number of shots from the fleet 
and both batteries in a given time. The result on the average 
showed that for fifteen shots delivered afloat, not more than 
one was received from shore. 

But the enemy was by no means inactive. Some of his 
guns were rifled, and not one of them was poorly served. The 
red shirts of their gunners were seen above the parapets of 
their works during the hottest part of the fight, and the 
bravery and pluck displayed excited the involuntary encomiums 
of the spectators. That their markmanship was good, the torn 
hulls and cut rigging of our vessels, rather than the number 
of killed and wounded on board of them, furnish full evidence. 
Three of their guns seem to have been dismounted almost 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



245 



simultaneously, when the firing had been in progress three 
hours ; and then, for the first time, was there any wavering on 
their part. It subsequently was ascertained that the shells 
which threw over the guns did fearful execution upon the artil- 
lerists, and caused the partial silence of the battery. 

The Wabash and other vessels again, for the fourth time, 
made a detour, while the gun-boats continued to throw in their 
fierce enfilading fire, which now received but a feeble reply 
from the fort. By the time that the fleet was again in front 
of the enemy, he was observed to be vacating his battery. 
Men were hastening across a meadow to the shelter of a piece 
of woods, about half a mile in the rear, carrying with them 
their wounded, baggage, &c. This was precisely a quarter 
before three o'clock, and in a few moments afterward the Con- 
federates struck their flag, raising a white one upon the staff". 

The signal to cease firing was at once given by the flag-ship, 
which lowered a boat and sent it ashore, carrying a flag of 
truce at the bow, and our own proud banner at the stern. 
Captain John Rogers, a passenger on the Wabash, who had 
come down to join his vessel, the Flag, now blockading off 
Charleston, volunteered to take the boat ashore, which he did, 
himself and crew being unarmed ; but there was no one there 
to receive them. No time was lost by the sailors in planting 
the United States ensign upon the extreme outer parapet of 
the fortification, while Captain Rogers displayed the beloved 
emblem of our nationality upon the flag-staff of a building a 
few rods to the right, from which, the Confederate standard 
had just been taken down. 

Who shall describe the enthusiasm with which this glorious 
victory was received ? The minds of the eager spectators of 
the fight had been in a measure prepared for it by seeing the 
boat go ashore with the flag of truce, and as soon as our flag 
was planted upon the parapet, cheer followed cheer from the 
vessels. Tears of joy filled many eyes, and hands were cor- 
dially shaken, and congratulations freely expressed. Some, 
in the exuberance of their exultation, danced wildly and 
clapped their hands, until it became a matter of doubt that 
they would ever cease their antics. The ebullition of patri- 
otic fervor was not decreased in the least when the regimental 
bands played, with hearty feeling, the " Star Spangled Banner " 
whose majesty had been so signally vindicated. 



246 



A HISTORY OF THE 



The transports had been lying, during the action, with their 
anchors*" hove short," ready to run up with the troops at the 
first sign of victory. They immediately steamed toward the 
fort, awakening echoes by the cheers which burst spontane- 
ously from the soldiers, in acknowledgment of the prowess of 
the navy, as each ship that had been in the battle was passed. 

Meantime, Lieutenant Barnes, of the Wabash, had made a 
landing with his battalion of sailors, whom he stationed as 
sentinels about the fort, placing his pickets about two hundred 
feet from the water limit of the work. Everything about the 
battery, and the encampment to the right of it indicated that 
its late occupants had decamped in a hurry, probably under 
the influence of a panic. Not one of the twenty-three guns 
forming the battery was spiked, and they were all in complete 
order for defending the place by our troops in case of a land 
attack, several beiDg loaded. None of the ammunition had 
been removed or destroyed, and every conceivable thing con- 
nected with a military camp could be found lying loosely 
around. The officers had not taken away their camp furniture, 
clothing, dress-swords, stores, or baggage of any kind, although 
a glance at a few of the tents showed them to be in a state of 
confusion, as if their contents had been overhauled. These 
tents, both for the officers and men, about eighty in number, 
were well furnished, floored, and more comfortable in all 
respects, than those generally used by our own men, and there 
were abundant evidences that the commissariat was well sup- 
plied. 

The firing of the enemy was very good, and the vessels 
sufl"ered considerably. The Federal loss was eight killed, and 
twenty wounded. 

After the surrender of the forts, the Confederate soldiers 
deserted the country, and the inhabitants of the town of Beau- 
fort and vicinity fled from their homes to the interior of the 
State. The panic seems to have been terrible, everything that 
could not be easily carried was left behind. The most princely 
residences were left to the mercy of the slaves, and many 
were the grand dances and fandangoes held in magnificent 
parlors by the slaves. 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



247 



It was very evident the Southern Confederacy had received 
a severe blow, and they fully felt its force. They found that 
the Government they had considered weak and shallow, was 
strong and deep enough to overwhelm their cherished but 
wicked schemes with certain ruin. They found, too, that the 
Yankee soldiers whom they had been taught to regard as 
cowards and knaves, were true soldiers, brave and valorous. 

The Grovernment determined to hold the point gained in 
South Carolina, and accordingly, General Sherman remained 
in command of the Federal forces occupying the captured forts, 
making occasional reconnoissances in the direction of Charles- 
ton and Savannah, and alarming the citizens of those two cities 
with fears of immediate capture. 

Beaufort was subsequently occupied by the Federal forces, 
and the property protected and saved from destruction. 



248 



A HISTORY OF THE 



CHAPTER XXVIII. 

CAPTURE OF MASON AND SEIDELL — SHELLING OP THE CON- 
FEDERATE TROOPS ON SANTA ROSA ISLAND. 

The Southern Confederacy was extremely anxious to send 
accredited Ministers to the courts of France and England, in 
the vain hope that their bastard government would receive a 
recognition from those two nations. Finding t^at their coast 
was hermetically sealed, they dispatched James M. Mason, 
of Virginia, and John Slidell, of Louisiana, as Ministers 
Plenipotentiary, one to France and the other to England, by 
way of Tampico, in Mexico, and from thence to Havana, 
Cuba. There they embarked on board the British mail 
steamer Trent, bound for England. But the vigilant eyes of 
the officers of the Grovernment were upon them, and scarcely 
had they taken refuge beneath the flag of G-reat Britain, than 
their bright prospects were nipped, and they were taken in 
custody by Captain Wilkes, of the United States steamer San 
Jacinto. The Captain had received information that the two 
notorious characters, with their Secretaries, had embarked on 
the British steamer, and starting in pursuit of the vessel, he 
overhauled her in the Bahama channel, and with a shot across 
her bow brought her to. He then sent an officer on board, 
who demanded that Messrs. Mason and Slidell be surrendered 
to the United States Grovernment. This demand was reluc- 
tantly complied with, but resistance being vain, the would-be 
Ministers, with trembling steps, were transferred to the United 
States steamer, bag and baggage. Secretaries and all. Upon 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



24.9 



reaching the jurisdiction of the United States, they were trans- 
ferred to Fort Warren, in Boston harbor. The loyal people 
hailed this act of Captain Wilkes with delight, and the uni- 
versal verdict was, he did his duty. But there was another 
side to the question : how would England regard the act ? It 
was believed she would demand their release, and in case of 
refusal, a war with the English would be inevitable. Should 
such a result ensue from the patriotic act of Commodore 
Wilkes, and should the Federal Grovernment firmly decide to 
retain the prisoners, the people were ready to shoulder their 
muskets and open their purses to sustain it. But bene-ath all 
this there were legal questions to be considered, that our 
Government, as a member of the family of nations, was bound 
to regard. 

Had the action of Captain Wilkes been strictly legal, or 
had he neglected to consummate the act according to inter- 
national law 1 But these nice questions of law were not com- 
prehended by the people, and they preferred that the act 
should be sustained at all hazards. 

The news from England was looked for with the greatest 
anxiety, and when it was known that the English Grovernment 
had demanded the release of Mason and Slidell, there was 
one unanimous burst of indignation, and a general desire that 
the Grovernment would retain them as prisoners. The reply 
of Secretary Seward was plain, dignified and comprehensive. 
Hp reviewed the seizure of the two Ministers upon the prin- 
ciples of international law, and concluded that the act was 
not in all particulars legal, and was performed without the 
authority of the Federal Government. Had Captain Wilkes 
brought the Trent into port as a prize, where the fact whether 
she had on board contraband of war could have been properly 
adjudicated, the case would have assumed a more proper and 
legal character. But the humanity of Captain Wilkes over- 
11* 



250 



A HISTORY OF THE 



came the strict scruples of law, and not wishing to inconve- 
nience and injure innocent persons, by detaining them on their 
passage, he suffered the vessel to depart. This made the act 
illegal, and the Grovernment was compelled, in honor and 
justice to itself and other nations, to surrender the notorious 
persons to the jurisdiction of the British flag, from under 
whose folds they had been taken by the intrepid Captain 
Wilkes. 

When the facts were laid before the people, they concluded 
that the Grovernment knew best, and if the President believed 
that the honor of the American people demanded their release, 
let them depart. Their power had been plucked from them 
by their capture and imprisonment, and their influence per- 
ceptibly diminished. War was avoided, the honor and in- 
tegrity of the Grovernment preserved, and the people wer« 
satisfied. 

Never was such confidence manifested by any people in it? 
rulers, as the American people on this occasion displayed in 
the President and his Secretary. Short as the Administration 
of Mr. Lincoln had been, he had entwined himself about the 
hearts of his countrymen, and infused into their minds a con- 
fidence unparalleled since the days of Washington,. JeffersoD 
and Jackson. Had he said the national' honor and safety of 
the Grovernment demand that these men be retained, though 
it should involve the nation in a war with Great Britain, not a 
murmur would have been heard, or a purse-string drawn tighl 
to withhold its aid. The wisdom of the able Secretary of 
State had steered the Grovernment safely through this impend- 
ing crisis, and brought it safely into the harbor of peace. War 
with a powerful nation was avoided, and a death-blow given to 
the hopes of the rulers of the Southern Confederacy. 

The Confederates had been checked in their advance to 
the heart of Kentucky, by GJ-eneral Nelson's division oi the 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 251 



Federal army in that State. About the 8th of November, 
he met the Confederates near Piketon, and completely routed 
them. He then advanced, and a few days after occupied the 
town. 

About the same time, Don Carlos Buell was assigned to 
command the Department of Kentucky. Shortly after the 
return of Major Anderson from Fort Sumter, he was made a 
Brigadier-Greneral, and sent to his native State to command 
her brave and loyal citizens, but finding his health much im- 
paired by his long confinement in the fort, he was unable to 
attend to active duties ; he therefore retired from active 
service to recruit his health. 

On the 18th of November, Greneral Halleck superseded 
G-eneral Hunter in the command of the Department of Mis' 
souri. Greneral Halleck is an educated soldier, and believed 
to be one of the most efficient and able officers in the United 
States army. 

Returning from the West, we find that an expedition had 
marched from Maryland into Accomac and Northampton 
counties of Virginia, more commonly known as the Eastern 
Shore of Virginia, and found that the Confederate forces had 
abandoned their works and fled. The citizens who had been 
forced to take up arms against the United States Grovernmcnt, 
threw them down, and claimed the protection of the Federal 
troops. This part of Virginia returned to its loyalty, and the 
citizens were delighted that they were rid of the oppressions 
of the usurper. 

The Confederate troops, not satisfied with the night attack 
they made on the camp of Wilson's Zouaves, at Fort Pickens, 
on the night of October the 9th, secretly occupied the extreme 
end of Santa E-osa Island, and formed a camp, evidently with 
the intention of again making an excursion some favorable 
night upon the Zouaves. By accident, however, their secret 



252 



A HISTORY OF THE 



hiding-place was discovered, and Colonel Brown ordered 
several steamers to shell them off. During the night the 
steamers moved within easy range, and when the day dawned 
the enemy were treated to a round of shell and shot. They 
beat a hasty retreat from the island, and in their rapid depar- 
ture they suffered a heavy loss. 

Returning to the Potomac, we find that the Confederate 
batteries had been increasing on the Virginia side, until it 
was officially announced to the Grovernment that the lower 
Potomac was blockaded. This fact, however, seemed of little 
consequence to the Grovernment, and the Confederates were 
permitted to watch their batteries, and in many cases behold 
vessels proceed boldly past their works, regardless of the shot 
and shell sent toward them. Occasionally a United States 
gun-boat would approach within range, and throw a few shells 
among the enemy's troops. 

It was evident that at this time the greatest distress pre- 
vailed in the Southern States. Every deserter who came into 
the Federal lines confirmed this, and every prisoner who was 
taken complained of the miserable condition of the Confederate 
army. Their clothing consisted of the poorest material, and 
of every kind, quality and description, without any effort at 
uniformity or comfort. Their fare usually consisted of corn 
bread and bacon; coffee and a few other luxuries being 
unknown to the common soldiers, shoes and boots were 
scarce, and in many instances were not possessed by the 
troops. The Federal soldiers who were confined in Rich- 
mond, Virginia, were frequently offered twenty-five dollars 
for the boots sent them by the Federal Government. 
Every means were resorted to, to fill the ranks, and men 
who were suspected of any Union proclivities, were forced 
into the Confederate army. By drafting and conscription they 
raised an army of about two hundred thousand men. These 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



253 



were scattered from the Atlantic Ocean to Texas, and half of 
them being in the State of Virginia, opposite the Federal 
lines. At no time had this army advanced beyond its original 
lines, or made a movement upon the Federal troops and given 
them battle. Content to lay behind their intrenchments, 
becoming demoralized and incapable by inactivity, they quietly 
waited the Federal forces to advance. 



254 



A HISTORY OF THE 



CHAPTER XXIX. 

PARSON BROWNLOW IN THE FIELD — GENERAL POPE IN 
MISSOURI. 

Althougli Tennessee had been forced into the Southern Con- 
federacy, by the management and chicanery of her secession 
leaders, a large portion of her citizens were loyal to the Fede- 
ral Government. The eastern part of the State had cast a 
strong majority against the Ordinance of Secession, and were 
determined not to follow where their bad rulers desired to lead 
them. A Convention was held for the purpose of establishing 
a separate State G-overnment, for the avowed object of remain- 
ing in the Federal Union. But they were so remote from the 
Federal aid, that her good purposes were crushed by the Con- 
federate forces brought against them. 

The well-known Parson Brownlow, who had fought with his 
pointed and eccentric eloquence the false and absurd princi- 
ples of secession, was at length driven from his home, to avoid 
a long and tedious incarceration. Fleeing to the mountains, 
he was, for a time, in the commotion of the war, forgotten. 
Having collected around him about three thousand loyal and 
brave Tennesseeans, he made a descent upon the enemies of 
his State and his country. About the 1st of December, he 
attacked the Confederate forces at a place called Morristown, 
in East Tennessee, and, after a severe engagement, completely 
routed them. 

On the 1st of December, Major Brown, with one hundred 
cavalry, belonging to General Wyman's Brigade, left Bella, 
Missouri, for the purpose of attacking Colonel Freeman, of 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



255 



the Confederate forces, near a place called Salem. Having 
reached Salem, he was attacked about three o'clock, on the 
morning of the 3d, bj Colonels Freeman and Turner. The 
battle was a sharp one, the enemy holding one part of the 
town, and Major Brown the other. A j&erce charge was made 
by the Federal troops, when the enemy's ranks were broken, 
and they fled in every direction, sustaining a loss of ten killed, 
and thirty wounded. 

The canal along the upper Potomac river was of much 
importance to the Federal army, for the conveyance of troops 
and army stores. About the 8th of December, the enemy 
resolved to destroy this means of communication, by tearing 
Dam No. 5 to pieces, by means of artillery. 

On Saturday afternoon, a force consisting of a battery of 
six pieces, about four hundred infantry, and two hundred 
cavalry, made their appearance on the Virginia side, and com- 
menced throwing shot at the dam and houses on the Maryland 
shore, burning a barn and riddling all the houses within range. 
They continued the fire until dusk. 

The only Union forces there to oppose the enemy were a 
company of the Massachusetts Thirteenth Regiment, on picket 
duty, and an unarmed regiment from Illinois. As the Massa- 
chusetts company were armed with the smooth-bore muskets, 
their fire was ineffective at so great a distance. 

Early on Sunday morning the firing with artillery and small 
arms was resumed, and, emboldened by the slight resistance 
they met with on Saturday, they came down to the very brink 
of the river, and exposed themselves without fear. 

During the night, Colonel Leonard had dispatched, by canal 
boats from Williamsport, another company of his regiment, 
armed with Enfield rifles. This force was concealed as skir- 
mishers along the Maryland shore. On the renewal of the 
attack on Sunday, the riflemen opened the fire from their con- 



256 



A HISTORY OF THE 



cealmentj and in a short time the Confederate artillerists were 
compelled to abandon their battery, the infantry and cavalry 
retreating about the same time. The enemy's loss was about 
fifteen or twenty killed, and many wounded. 

For want of sufficient infantry force, and a battery to 
protect their movements, the enemy's guns could not be 
captured, and after nightfall they returned and removed them. 
The battery consisted of three Parrott ten-pounders ; one 
twelve-pounder, carrying the Sawyer shell, and two smooth- 
bore six-pounders. Some of the infantry were armed with 
improved long-range rifles. 

A well-fought battle occurred about the 13th of December, 
at Allegheny Camp, Pocahontas county, Western Virginia. 
About two thousand of the enemy, under the command of 
Greneral Johnson, of G-eorgia, were strongly intrenched. 
General Milroy, with about seven hundred and fifty Federal 
troops, attacked the enemy in his intrenchments. He was 
first met drawn up in line of battle ; but so furious was the 
attack, that he was driven into his barracks, and five times 
did he move out, but was quickly driven back. The battle 
lasted until dark, when the Federal troops withdrew, and lay 
on their arms all night, intending to renew the attack in the 
morning. Greneral Johnson, during the night, set fire to his 
barracks, and retreated to Staunton. By this last blow the 
enemy were driven entirely out of Western Virginia, and the 
Federal authority completely established. 

Along the line of the upper Potomac, frequent skirmishes 
occurred between the Federal forces on the Maryland side, and 
the enemy on the Virginia side. At any point where the 
Federal lines were weak, the Confederates, with heavy bat- 
teries of artillery, would appear, and, as if practicing, or 
more for amusement, throw shot and shell across the river. 

On the 19th of December, the enemy appeared opposite the 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



257 



Point of Rocks, with a battery of three guns, supported by a 
force of two hundred infantry. After planting their guns, 
they commenced shelling Colonel G-eary's camp. Six com- 
panies were immediately deployed and intrenched as sharp- 
shooters, and the battery of the Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania 
Regiment opened on them with two guns. The first shot 
dismounted one of the enemy's guns, and the second dropped 
among the troops. The Federal battery then advanced, and 
poured a steady and continuous fire on the enemy, and in a 
short time silenced all his guns. A fourth gun was sent to 
reinforce the battery, but soon the whole detachment of Con- 
federate troops were in full retreat, with a loss of fourteen 
killed, and many wounded. The Federal battery was then 
turned upon several houses, in which the enemy had taken 
refuge, and from which they were driven, with a loss of several 
killed and wounded. 

In Kentucky, the military movements of the two armies 
attracted considerable attention. Greneral Schcepff, who com- 
manded one division of the Federal forces, was skillfully 
manoeuvring to entrap General Zollickofi'er, who commanded 
the enemy, and who was believed to be strongly intrenched on 
the Cumberland river, near the town of Somerset, on the 
southern border of Kentucky. The Federal forces were 
advancing toward the Tennessee line, for the purpose of 
driving the enemy from Kentucky, and opening a way for the 
Union army to march into Eastern Tennessee. A second 
division of the Federal army was advancing through the west 
of Kentucky, to open a route into Central Tennessee, to aid 
the Union cause in that section. A large force of the enemy 
was strongly posted at Bowling Green, and at Green river, 
and had destroyed the bridges, and obstructed the roads in 
every direction. 

On the 18th of December, a detachment of the enemy had 



258 



A HISTORY OP THE 



placed themselves m ambush, near the river, and then sent 
out a regiment of Texas Cavalry toward the Federal lines. 
They were met by four companies of the Union soldiers, num- 
bering about three hundred and fifty, and led by Lieutenant- 
Colonel Van Weber, who drove back the cavalry, following 
them as th6y retreated. Suddenly they found themselves in 
an ambuscade, and surrounded. The Federal troops stood 
their ground, and vigorously assailed the enemy, until they 
drove them back, and finally retreated, leaving their dead and 
wounded on the field. The enemy were about three thousand 
strong. The battle must have been a desperate and bloody 
conflict. Lieutenant Sacks, of Cincinnati, killed eight men, 
with two' revolvers, and finally received nine balls in his body, 
killing him instantly. Sixty-two of the Texas Rangers were 
killed, including Colonel Ferry, who commanded them. The 
Federal loss was ten killed, and twenty wounded. 

Coming again to Missouri, we find General Pope, with the 
Federal troops, has not been idle. Ascertaining thiit the 
enemy were encamped at a place called Chilhome, Johnson 
county, and about two thousand two hundred strong in Clinton 
and Henry counties, he concluded to drop down between the 
two camps, and disperse or capture them. On the 19th of 
December, he made a forced march, and so suddenly did he 
come upon the enemy, that they retreated at his approach, 
abandoning their camp, baggage, a large quantity of arms, 
munitions, papers, &c. The enemy retreated toward Rose 
Hill, in Johnson county. The General sent in pursuit of 
them ten companies of cavalry, and a section of artillery. 
They were closely pursued, and, to avoid capture, scattered 
in all directions. A strong reconnoitering force of cavalry 
was sent toward Osceola, and intercepted and captured one 
hundred and fifty of the retreating foe, with all their baggage 
and horses. 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



259 



CHAPTER XXX. 

BATTLE AT WARRENSBURG, MISSOURI — BATTLE AT DRAINES- 
VILLE — TABLE SHOWING THE STRENGTH OF THE ARMY 
AND NAVY. 

The enemy in Missouri was making strong efforts to sustain 
itself against the destruction that seemed inevitable. The 
Federal forces were so alert and persevering, that almost every 
supply train was captured, and squads of wandering Con- 
federate troops were constantly being taken. The regularity 
of their movements was broken, and they seemed fearful of a 
sudden and unexpected battle, or a capture. General Pope 
had given them much trouble, and was moving so rapidly and 
surely that they could not for a moment imagine from whence 
a blow would fall. 

Early on the morning of the 20th of December, a scout 
brought information that a large train and reinforcements of 
the enemy which had marched South to intercept the Federal 
forces, had divided, and the larger portion were marching 
south from Waverly, intending to camp at night near Milford. 

Greneral Pope brought the main body of the army in position 
a few miles south of Waverly, and sent a strong force, under 
Colonel Jeff. C. Davis, a few miles south of Warrensburg 
and Knob-Knoster, to come on the left and rear, at the same 
time ordering Merrill's Cavalry to march from Warrensburg, 
and come up to the right. 

Colonel Davis pushed rapidly forward, and came up to the 
enemy in the afternoon, drove in his pickets, carried a strongly 
defended bridge by a vigorous assault, and drove the enemy 



260 



A HISTORY OF THE 



into the timber, where, finding himself surrounded, he sur- 
rendered twelve hundred men, including two colonels, one 
lieutenant-colonel, one major and seventeen captains. 

On December 29th, Greneral Prentiss, with four hundred and 
fifty men, encountered and dispersed a body of the enemy, 
nine hundred strong, under Colonel Dorsey, at Mount Zion, 
Boone county, killing and wounding one hundred and fifty of 
them, and capturing thirty-five prisoners, ninety-five horses, 
and five guns. Federal loss — three killed, and eleven wounded. 

Leaving Missouri, we return to the army opposite Washing- 
ton, where it had lain perfectly quiet from the latter part of 
July to the 20th of December. During this time no action 
of importance had taken place, the troops devoting their time 
to study and drill. The army had now approached a perfec- 
tion equal to regulars, and in all their reviews had acquitted 
themselves with honor, and elicited the praise and commenda- 
tion of officers and citizens. 

General McCalPs brigade was the reserve of the army, and 
every pains had been taken by that gallant officer to make it 
superior in every particular. His camp was located in the 
vicinity of Drainesville, the town being about half-way between 
the G-eneral's head-quarters and Leesburg. 

Having obtained information that a squad of about one hun- 
dred Confederate cavalry were foraging near Difficult Creek, 
and coming within four miles of his lines, he determined to 
capture or drive them ofi", and at the same time secure a 
quantity of forage belonging to some noted secessionists at 
Drainesville. 

On the night of the 20th, he ordered out Greneral Ord's 
Brigade, with one day's rations, to march at daylight. 
Easton's battery and four squadrons of cavalry, and forty-five 
wagons, in charge of Captain Hall, accompanied the expedi- 
tion. The troops moved on, with instructions to secure the 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



261 



forage, and after they had departed, he was informed that a 
large body of the enemy were at Herndon's Station, on the 
railroad. Knowing Greneral Ord's disposition for fighting, he 
ordered out General Reynolds'- Brigade on the turnpike, as a 
reserve, and with his staff galloped on toward Drainesville. 

In the meantime, Greneral Ord had marched to Drainesville, 
with his troops in the following order : — Advance-guard, Kane 
Kifles, Easton's battery, four squadrons of the First Pennsyl- 
vania Cavalry, with the Tenth, Sixth and Twelfth Regiments. 
The regiments were about one hundred rods apart, and as the 
skirmishers of the Ninth were scouring the woods on the east 
of Drainesville, they found the enemy secreted in the woods, 
and the battle commenced. 

Greneral Ord was in advance, and at once rode to the spot, 
and drew up his troops in line of battle. Easton's battery 
took a position in front of a house, and companies A and N 
of the Kane Rifles were deployed down the Centreville road. 
When he had advanced about five hundred yards, seven 
squadrons of Stuart's Cavalry galloped from one field to 
another, as though they were retreating. 

The Rifles halted for fear of being entrapped, and a battery 
not a hundred yards in front opened on them. The riflemen 
dropped down on their faces, and the Kentucky riflemen 
opened a volley on them. They fell back, and were reinforced 
by other companies, and then opened a fire on the enemy 
wherever visible. 

Easton's battery now opened on the enemy with three guns 
— two twenty-four and one twelve-pounder — sending the 
other gun round the hill, to keep the enemy from outflanking. 
The enemy's six guns were now pouring out incessant fire, and 
the Sixth Regiment on his right were firing rapidly at the 
edge of the woods, where the Confederates were concealed in 
thick pines. The enemy's shots were generally too high, doing 
but little damage to the Federal troops. 



262 



A HISTORY OP THE 



When the position of the Confederate battery was known . 
Easton opened on him, and his third shell exploded in the 
caisson, which, in its turn, blew up, scattering destruction in 
every direction. Just then General McCall and his staff rode 
up, and he took command. He complimented General Ord 
for the disposition he had made of the forces, and then pro- 
ceeded to give orders. 

One of the regiments was disposed to fall back out of the 
field in which they had been placed to get under cover. 
General McCall rode up, flourishing his sword, and cried out 
to them, " Forward, boys ! stand your ground." The enemy 
believed the moment was favorable, and down from the 
extreme left came a regiment in light blue overcoats, 
with the Stars and Stripes waving over them. One of 
their ofi&cers cried out, " Do not shoot, we are Buck- 
tails." The troops reserved their fire, until one of the oflficers 
discovered the ruse, and shouted, " It's a lie ; give them h — 11, 
boys." Before the words died away, however, the Confede- 
rates fired, and started for cover. The Federal troops gave 
them a volley with fearful efi'ect. 

The artillery was now throwing their shells into the woods. 
The enemy ceased firing from their battery, and were preparing 
to make a charge. The hail of lead that now rained was ter- 
rible, and the order to charge bayonets was given. The 
General, Ord, and his aids, were at the head of his column, 
and charged in the following order : — The Ninth Pennsylvania 
Reserve Regiment, Colonel Jackson; Kane Rifles, Lieutenant- 
Colonel Kane ; and a part of the Sixth Regiment in reserve, 
with the Tenth and Twelfth Regiments on both wings. On 
they went, plunged into the woods, and the enemy fled. The 
troops fired as fast as they could load, and in forty-five minutes 
from the time the enemy opened fire, they were in full retreat, 
throwing away guns, overcoats, and everything else that 
encumbered' their flight. 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



263 



The woods presented a fearful spectacle; the dead and 
dying lying in heaps, and mangled bodies of horses stretched 
side by side with their riders. Near the ruins of the battery 
were seven horses and thirteen men piled together. 

The enemy's loss was seventy-nine killed and wounded ; 
two cannons and a quantity of small arms captured. The 
Federal loss was ten killed, and fifteen wounded. 

This was the last battle of any consequence fought in the 
year 1861, in defense of the Union, and in this the Federal 
troops were victorious, fighting a concealed foe, and driving 
him from his lair. 

The Federal army was now thoroughly organized, and offi- 
cered by men who were competent to command. It was now, 
for the first time since the war began, in a condition to enter 
upon regular campaigns, and move in regular order. Thus 
far the war had assumed the form of an irregular contest : 
captains, colonels and generals fighting a squad of the enemy 
wherever found, and upon their own responsibility. When, 
however, we look back to the 15th of April, and find that not 
a man in the North was armed in defense of the Union, and 
the navy was small and inefficient, what wonders have the 
Grovernment achieved 1 Nothing in the history of the past has 
a parallel, or even a comparison. The Government, attacked 
by an internal enemy, who had, by dishonest officials, been 
armed and equipped from the Federal stores, and for months, 
unmolested, drilled their troops to overthrow the very Grovern- 
ment that was then protecting them. When the blow was 
struck the Federal Grovernment was crippled ; but putting 
forth its immense powers, it soon recovered from the shock. 

Commencing on the 15th of April, 1861, the Grovernment 
has, up to the close of the year, established the formidable 
armament given in the following table : — 



2G4 



A HISTORY OF THE 



ARMY. 

Volunteers ' 640,637 

Regulars 20,334 

Total. 660,971 

NAVY. 

The effective force of the navy, not including vessels on the 
stocks, or unfit for service, was as follows : — 

Sailing Vessels. Guns. Steamers. G-uns. 

Frigates..* 6 300 6 222 

Sloops. 17 342 37 326 

Brigs ,. 2 12 

Small side-wheel - . . . . 16 56 

Ironclad 3 18 

Gun-boats, (new) 23 92 

Grun-boats purchased . . 79 342 

Ships purchased 13 52 

Barques purchased . . . 18 78 

Brigs purchased 2 4 

Schooners purchased 24 49 

Total 82 837 164 1,055 

Total effective vessels 246 

Total guns , 1,892 

Seamen and marines 22,000 



No. 1. JEFFERSON DAVIS. No. 2. GEN. BEAUREGAKD. 'No. 3. GEN. JOHNSON. 
No. 4. GEN. LEE. No. 5. GE.V. FLOYB. 



CIVTL WAR IN THE UNITED STxiTES. 



265 



CHAPTER XXXI. 

DISBANDING OF HUMPHREY MARSHALL'S FORCES — BATTLE 
AT SPRING MILLS, KENTUCKY. 

The new year opened propitiously for tlie Grovernment, and 
it was plain that the Union was stronger than ever, and that 
the power of the enemy was broken. The people began to 
feel that they had a Government eqnal to the emergency 
brought upon the country, and that the Grovernment, when 
properly administered, was a good one. To preserve and sus- 
tain it they had put forth all their strength, and with a liberal 
hand contributed their means. They felt that the movement 
in the South was not a revolution against invaded rights, but 
a scheme of evil-minded politicians, who were not willing to 
relinquish the power they had for years held in their own 
hands. It was not a war waged against the Southern people, 
who had been misled and gulled by enormous stories of their 
political leaders ; for, in the minds of the people^of the North, 
there still lingered a feeling of sympathy for their fellow 
citizens of the South, and as the stories of their distress and 
suffering circulated, a sigh of pity often followed the recital. 
There was no word of animosity against the people, as a mass — 
no feeling of revenge and conquest — no enemy simply because 
a man was born South. Against the innocent there was no 
war ; but against the guilty there was the most deep-rooted 
hatred — the most absolute contempt and loathing. To the 
people of the North, Arnold, though his name blackens the 
page of history that records his deeds, was a patriot and a 
good man, when compared with the men who headed the 
12 



266 



A HISTORY OF THE 



Soutliern Confederacy. To those who were willing to return 
to their loyalty, the hand of fellowship was quickly extended, 
and those who maintained their loyalty against the foes of the 
country, they were ready to honor. While, however, those 
kindly feelings found a resting-place in the hearts of Northern 
men, there was a determination that the Union should be pre- 
served. 

The people were dissatisfied with the operations of the 
Secretary of War, and murmurs found their way into the 
press, and eventually reached the ears of the President. They 
were not loud and threatening, but they portended that in 
t"me they might assume a more alarming aspect. The Presi- 
dent at once threw aside all personal feeling, all political 
prejudices and sympathies, and made a change in the War 
Department. It was a delicate task ; for the President and 
Secretary of War were most intimate friends, and the best of 
good feeling existed between them. No disagreement had 
occurred in the Cabinet — no ill-feeling had been engendered 
by diversity of opinion ; but the President, acting upon his 
own judgment, and with the promptness and firmness that 
characterized his administration through the year, removed 
the Secretar3i.of War, and appointed him Minister to Russia. 
He then delicately informed Mr. Cameron of the change, and 
the latter willingly accepted it. It was believed that Mr. 
Cameron asked to be relieved from the secretaryship, though 
we have no record of the fact. 

Immediately following, Mr. Edwin M. Stanton, of Pennsyl- 
vania, a Democrat in politics, and the Attorney-General during 
the latter part of Mr. Buchanan's administration, was ap- 
pointed to fill the vacant secretaryship. He entered upon 
the discharge of his duties about the middle of January, and 
forthwith established strict rules for the government of his 
Department. Though our record can give him the advantage 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



267 



of but a few days in his new position, in that short period his 
operations seemed to meet the fullest expectations of his 
friends. In every position that Mr. Stanton occupied under 
the Grovernment, his course was marked as a man of sterling 
integrity and honesty — not swerving one particle from his 
strict duty to his Government and his fellow citizens. He 
declared it to be his intention to reward those first who 
bravely fought in battle, with the just declaration that they 
were the most deserving. 

At the town of Huntersville, in Western Virginia, the 
enemy had established a military depot, and collected a large 
amount of stores. General Milroy, who commanded the 
Federal forces in the vicinity, resolved to destroy the stores. 
On the 14th of January, 1862, he sent out an expedition, 
composed of portions of Ohio and Virginia regiments. The 
Federal troops came upon a body of the enemy, consisting of 
cavalry, near the town of Huntersville, drawn up in line of 
battle. The Union soldiers immediately attacked them, and 
drove them into the town. For a short time the battle raged, 
the enemy occupying one end of the town, and the Federal 
troops the other. A charge was made, and the enemy fled, 
with a loss of eight killed and wounded. Their stores were 
captured and entirely destroyed, and the Federal troops then 
returned to camp. 

Southern Kentucky had now become an interesting theatre 
of the war on which several sharp battles had been fought, 
with a prospect of heavier ones. A strong line of the enemy 
was posted along the southern boundary of the State, reaching 
from the eastern boundary of Tennessee to Columbus, on the 
Mississippi river. The latter place was strongly intrenched, 
to guard against any expedition that might attempt to pass 
down the river. Near Somerset, General Zollickoffer was 
strongly intrenched, having erected fortifications on high hills. 



268 



A HISTORY OF THE 



which completely commanded the passage into Eastern Ten- 
nessee. Further to the left, was posted the valiant Humphrey 
Marshall, a braver man than whom Kentucky never boasted, 
as events will show. The enemy had entertained great hopes 
of this portly general, and it was expected that, like a whirl- 
wind, he would dash his weight upon the Federal troops, and 
put them to the rout. He was posted near Sandy Yalley, an 
ominous name, with his troops, waiting the approach of the 
Federal hosts. On the 11th of January, Colonel Garfield 
approached the enemy with a small force, and instead of 
bullets, was met by a flag of truce. The inquiry came from 
the enemy, commanded by Greneral Humphrey Marshall, to 
know if the matter could not be settled without a fight. 
Colonel Grarfield very pleasantly gave the enemy his choice to 
fight or surrender. With this inhuman answer, (no doubt 
they thought it so,) the bearer of the flag of truce returned to 
General Marshall. The General thereupon informed his troops 
that they had no alternative but to disband or surrender, and 
giving them their choice. They quickly chose the former, and 
collecting their camp equipage and stores, set fire to them, 
and departed, scattering in every direction, and every man 
taking care of himself. 

For some weeks. General Zollickoff'er had been intrenched 
at Spring Mill, in the vicinity of Somerset, Kentucky, holding 
the pass of the Cumberland river, and the route into Eastern 
and Middle Tennessee, against General Buell. The divisions 
of General Buell's army laying in the vicinity of the enemy, 
under ZollickofFer, were under the command of Generals 
Thomas and Schoeptf. As the enemy were strongly intrenched, 
the generals of the Federal army had been executing several 
military manoeuvres, with a view to surround him, and cut off* 
his r(^treat, and then storm his intrenchments. With this 
object in view, Thomas and Schoepff", with their divisions, 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 269 

W3re moving in different directions. The enemy perceived 
the dilemma in which he would be placed, and perhaps mis- 
taking the strength of General Thomas' forces, on Sunday 
morning, January 19th, marched out, and attacked him. 

Below we give the details of the battle, with the march and 
pursuit of the enemy by Greneral Schoepff 's division : — 

Last Thursday evening we learned that General Thomas was cer- 
tainly advancing toward us on the Columbia road. Communication 
was once more opened up between his forces and those of General 
Schoepfl', by that, the direct route. He was said to be within fifteen 
miles of us, with three regiments, and others following. General 
Schoepff at once prepared to co-operate with our friends. On Friday 
morning the First and Second East Tennessee Regiments marched 
out on the Columbia road, and were tbllowed by the Twelfth Ken- 
tucky. The Seventeenth and Thirty-first Ohio went to Hudson's 
Ford, near the mouth of Fishing creek, to cut off the enemy should 
he attempt to retreat on this side of the river, or by that road to throw 
a force between us and General Thomas. Two pieces of Captain 
Howitt's battery accompanied us. Captain Standart's battery went 
with the Tennessee troops. The Thirty-eighth and Thirty-fifth Ohio 
remained in camp, as a reserve. 

After a tiresome march of nine muddy miles, we reached our desti- 
nation at the lower ford. We found the creek impassable, except by 
bridging it. The back water of the Cumberland extended nearly two 
miles further up the creek, which was itself raised by heavy rains. 
No signs of the enemy were visible. The two regiments, however, 
took their positions so as to command the stream completely, and 
bivouacked for the night. Before, morning the boys enjoyed the 
luxury of seeing and feeling a smart shower when there wasn't a cloud 
in sight. The stars were shining bright as ever through the rain. 
Our boys think that their next experience of atmospheric varieties in 
this moist Kentucky will be of rain growing straight up from the 
ground. 

Saturday afternoon the order came to fall back on Somerset. On 
the way back considerable excitement was created by the sound of 
sharp musketry across the creek, in the direction of the Columbia 
Cross Roads. It was the precursor, as we have since teamed, of the 
next day's bloodier work. Late at night our regiment came in tired 
and hungry. We found that the Thirty-fifth and Thirty-eighth had 
gone out upon the Columbia road in the morning, had enjoyed the 
satisfaction of wading the creek, and had then been ordered back to 
camp. 

Sunday morning came, dark and rainy — a fit day for a Sabbath bat- 
tle. At six minutes before eight o'clock we heard the first boom of 
cannon. We had frequently heard what we imagined to be artillery 
firing before, but always found out that it was distant thunder, or 
something similar in sound; but there was no doubt as to this. The 



270 



A HISTORY OF THE 



imaginatiou may mistake other sounds for cannon, but there is little 
danger of ever mistaking the heavy boom of artillery for anything else. 
The battle was evidently raging somewhere near General Thomas' 
camp. Yet it was so unexpected to us that we could scarcely believe 
the evidence of our own ears. That the enemy should leave his 
intrenchments to attack us in the open field seemed almost incredible. 
Major Coffee, of Wolford's Cavalry," was the only one who could 
offer any solution of the mystery. He knows Major- General Critten- 
den personally, and remarked, George is drunk, as usual, and come 
out for a fight." 

The cannonading continued, with but brief pauses, for two hours, 
and then ceased. We waited in suspense for two hours more, but no 
news. The wildest rumors began to circulate. The Confederates had 
completely surrounded Thomas, and taken his whole force prisoners; 
but were about to cross Fishing creek, to complete the day's work by 
demolishing us. The general impression seemed to be that something 
had gone wrong. 

About noon, Lieutenant-Colonel Moore and I went over to head- 
quarters to see if we couldn't get some information. We found Lieu- 
tenant Munoz, one of the General's Aids, busily engaged in examining 
the bottom of a well. He was the only officer visible, and we 
approached him. No news, was his answer to our question, and still 
he peered with anxious eyes down the well. It is still a wonder to 
me what our good friend, the Lieutenant, was looking down there for, 
though in the dismal condition of external nature, and the general 
- uncertainty which prevailed, it was about as good a thing as a man 
could do. Probably he was trying to see whether he couldn't get out 
some of that truth which they say lies hidden in a well, and which is 
so rare an article in Southern Kentucky. 

Just then we saw coming over a hill opposite, at full speed. Major 
Lawrence, Captain Hewit, and a third person, with the inevitable 
Wolford's cavalry blunderbuss slung over his shoulder. He and his 
horse looked like an incarnation of the demon who may be presumed 
to preside over mud. If there was one square inch on their several 
bodies visible through the surrounding crust of earth and water, my 
eyes failed to perceive it. But his first words were decidedly those 
of a man of like passions to those of other mortals. " Hurrah, Zolly's 
dead!" He sought the General, while the ]\Iajor stopped to tell us 
that the Confederates were routed, and our men were in full pursuit 
of them toward the river. In a moment out rushed General Schcepff, 
bareheaded and jubilant. <' Munoz, go and tell the Seventeenth, 
Thirty-fifth, Thirty-eighth, and Thirty-first to prepare to march 
instantly." " Instantly," he repeated in his quick, decisive way. 
We hurried back to camp. The boys had not eaten their dinners yet. 
They were tired with Saturday's march. They had no meat for break- 
fast. There were no crackers, only corn meal to make bread of, and 
no time to prepare it. But it made no difference. The only anxiety 
was lest Thomas should drive' the enemy over the river before we 
could get down. Boys sick in hospitals hurried out to get their 
muskets. Our regiment, which could not have brought out three 



CIVIL WAU IN THE UNITED STATES. 



271 



hundred men for a dress parade, marched five hundred strong to battle, 
and one company gone to repair the road to Stanford. It was the 
same with all the rest of the brigade. Colonels Bradley and Yande- 
vier left their sick rooms, where they had been lying dangerously ill 
fur weeks, to liead their regiments. I did not see the latter, but 
Colonel Bradley looked as the Cid Campeador must have done when 
the Spaniards placed his corpse at their head to lead them once more 
to victory. 

We reached Fishing creek in an hour and a half. It was running 
breast high and very swift. There was no time to bridge it. A rope 
was stretched across. The men strapped their cartridge boxes upon 
tlieir shoulders, and, with one hand holding their gun locks out of 
the water, and with the other clinging to the rope, to keep themselves 
fi'om being swept down the stream, they pressed across. All the 
horses and mules that could be found were put in requisition lor fer- 
riage. But it was night before the last man was over. Four miles' 
march brought us to General Thomas' camp. All along the road we 
had heard the report ol General Zollickoffer's death. The country 
people, who have suffered from his lawless soldiery, or feared their 
ravages, were wild with delight. One old woman on the road 
exclaimed, "- I've got two children in the fight, but I don't trouble 
myself about them, I'm so glad that Zolhckofier is dead. We had 
disbelieved the reports, knowing how such rumors spread after a 
battle, but on arriving at the camp we made inquiry, and found that 
there was no doubt of the fact. 

Colonel Connell, who had known General ZollickofFer in Washing- 
ton, asked to be permitted to see the corpse, and I went with him. 
He lay in a tent wrapped in an army blanket, his chest and left arm 
and side exposed. A tall, rather slender man, with thin, brown hair, 
high forehead, somewhat bald, Roman nose, firm wide mouth, and 
clean shaved face. A pistol ball had struck him in the breast, a little 
above the heart,- killing him instantly. His face bore no expression 
such as is usually found on those who fall in battle — no malice, no 
reckless hate, not even a shadow of physical pain, it was calm, placid, 
noble. But I have never looked on a countenance so marked with 
sadness. A deep dejection had settled on it. " The low cares of the 
mouth" were distinct in the droop at its corners, and the thin cheeks 
showed the wasting which comes through disappointment and trouble. 

After leaving the camp we pushed on our road toward th^; enemy. 
We passed through the battle-field in the night. Two corpses lay by 
the roadside, and our men stumbled over them in the darkness. We 
could see nothing more at that time. 

The road, which had been bad enough before, now became fright- 
ful. The boys, worn out with fatigue and hunger, one by one dropped 
down by the wayside to sleep. Some, stumbling in the mud, were too 
much exhausted to raise themselves again, and had to be pulled up 
by their comrades. 

About nine o'clock we halted, built fires and lay down to rest until 
the moon should get far enough up to give us light to travel by. Two 
hours of rest somewhat refreshed us, and we again passed on. We had 



272 



A HISTORY OF THE 



lioard heavy cannonading at Mill Spring before darl?, and we knew that 
the morning would either see a bloody fight or a complete retreat of 
the enemy. It was two o-clock when we reached the camp. More 
than half of the three regiments which went through that night were 
dropped on the way. Une by one they came straggling in, till by the 
time we were ready to move in the morning there were but few behind. 

Our boys built a few camp fires, and lay down on the damp ground 
to sleep. I crawled off to a stable, tied my horse, and at first thought 
of sleeping under him, the only place I could see which seemed availa- 
ble, but Captain Rippey's sharper eyes discovered a box which had 
once been filled with rye (in its natural state,) untenanted. For- 
tunately we are short men, and the box just fitted us. There was 
enough of the grain left to make a comfortable bed, and we enjoyed it. 

The morning came, gloomy and threatening, as usual for the last 
two weeks. Our wagons had not come up with provisions, and we 
had but a scanty breakfast. The enemy had not been heard from 
during the night. 

About seven o'clock Captain Standart opened with his guns upon a 
steamboat lying in the river. He soon set it -on fire with his shells, 
and burnt it. We then congratulated ourselves that we had caught 
the Confederates and cut off their escape. 

In a little while a long column of our troops began to file away from 
a point half a mile below us, toward the Confederate camp. Another 
formed nearer us, and marched over a hill, through the woods, in the 
same direction. Then came an order to move, and off we went. We 
marched half a mile and halted, forming in line of battle. Just then 
the artillery, which had accompanied the first column, opened again. 
For a little while we were in doubt whether it was replied fo or not, 
but word soon came that the intrenchmcnts on this side were aban- 
doned, and that we were throwing shell into the fortifications on the 
other side without waking any one up there. Then we were ordered 
forward again. In a few moments we were on a hill-top,-and the enemy's 
camp- lay before us. A space of more than a hundred acres, sur- 
rounded and divided by low hills, all of which were capped by long 
lines of earthworks. The woods were cut away, and the fallen timber 
lay in every direction, to hinder the approach of an attacking enemy. 

As we marched over the hill into the camp a storm was raging. 
There was a sullen fall of rain. The lightning leaped from the sky 
upon the hills on the other side of the river, as though it was pursuing 
the remains of the Confederate army with the wrath of heaven. The 
thunder echoed our artillery. 

Long columns of our men filed along the circular crests of hills. But 
there was hardly a cheer. We had hoped to capture every man, and 
though we had taken everything which made them an army, we 
felt disappointed. This was peculiarly the case with General Schoepff's 
brigade, and most particularly with the Seventeenth, and the Thirty- 
eighth. We had done more hard work, made more marches under 
the most trying circumstances, thrown up more intrenchments, and in 
short, had done more of every kind of soldier's duty than an}' other 
regiment in the State. We wanted to have a soldier's luxury — a fight. 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



273 



We had waited for it here nearly two months, and at last, having run 
the fox to his hole, to have him taken from us by others was too bad. 

Yet the victory was complete. Thirteen cannon, more than a thou- 
sand stand of arms, a thousand horses, ammunition, baggage trains,, 
commissary stores of every kind, tents, clothing, and, in short, every- 
thing which the poor fellows had were left to us. A copy of the order 
of retreat was found, directing that th« army should move at four 
o'clock, silently, and leave everything. They did not even spike their 
guns. 

No army was ever smitten with such a panic, even in the open field. 
That they should leave fortifications of the extent and strength of 
those around their camp seemed almost incredible. Those fortifica- 
tions were evidently constructed under the supervision of a skilltul 
engineer. It would be diflScult to construct more formidable earth- 
works. They were defended by thirteen pieces, many of them rifled. 
The force of the enemy, even after their heavy losses in the morning, 
was fully equal in numbers to our own.- Yet all was abandoned. 

To our men, accustomed to live in cold tents, the Confederate camp 
seemed almost a paradise. The most of the regiments were furnished 
with log huts, warm, comfortable and homelike. In the commissary 
department they were much better supplied than we have been. No 
crackers, but good corn bread and biscuit most inviting. Coflfee, 
sugar, beef, fat hogs, everything of the best and plenty of it. The 
South may be starving, but the Southern army is far from it. In 
clothing and arras alone our troops have the advantage over them. 
Their guns were many of them flint lock muskets, shot guns, and 
squirrel rifles. But few rifled muskets were found. 

No sign of the enemy being visible on the other side of the river, 
and our own stock of provision running short. General Schoepff' s 
brigade was ordered back to Somerset. After traveling about eight 
miles on our return, we came to the field of battle. 

The ground is rolling, the hills not high nor steep, but irregular, 
and covered, in great part, with dense woods. Along the road there 
are some cleared fields. 

DETAILS OF THE BATTLE. 

The enemy, under the immediate command of Major-General Crit- 
tenden, marched, eight regiments strong, from their camp on Saturday 
night. Their mounted grand guards were skirmishing through the 
greater part of the night with ours. Colonel Wolford's cavalry -were 
doing outpost duty that night, and by their behavior then, and in the 
battle afterward, completely cleared away the reproach which some 
unworthy officers have brought upon them. They will always fight 
well when Wolford is with them. The Tenth Indiana occupied a 
-wooded hill on the right of the road. On the left was a field, stretch- 
ing down the hill for several hundred yards. In front of the woods was 
another field of about twenty acres. 

The enemy formed in these two fields, attacking the Indiana troops 
both in front and upon their left flanl?. A section of Captain Stan- 
dart's battery had been brought up and was stationed in the road. 
1^* . 



274 A HISTORY OF THE 

The attack here was made about seven o'clock in the morning. 
Colonel Manson coming up to the position just after the attack began, 
and seeing that his men must be overpowered before the other regi- 
ments could come up, ordered his men to fall back, which they did in 
good order, fighting as they went. Captain Standart reluctantly gave 
up the privilege of " giving the enemy one good blizzard" from that 
point, and retired too. 

Immediately to the rear of the woods where the Tenth was stationed 
is another field, with a steep descent to a ravine, and then comes another 
dense forest. On the left of the road the clearings continue to the 
ravine, the sides of which at that point are covered with a growth of 
scrub oaks and other timber. 

After crossing the river another field lies on the left of the road. 
The Tenth retired through the field on the right of the road, and 
through the woods for about a hundred and fifty yards to the rear of 
the ravine. At this point, Colonel Fry's Fourth Kentucky came up 
and formed along the fence, which separates the road from the field on 
the left. There is no fence' on the right of the road at that point. 
The two regiments here formed in the shape of a " V," its point 
toward the enemy advancing from the ravine, behind which they had 
reformed after their temporary success in the first attack. For nearly 
an hour they tried to break that " V," but failed. 

What Confederate regiments came through the woods to attack the 
Tenth at this place, I have not learned. Those which attacked 
Colonel Fry were Battle's Tennessee and the Fifteenth Mississippi, the 

V\^igfall Rifles," and the Mississippi Tigers," as they loved to call 
themselves. These were the crack regiments of the enemy, and they 
sustained their reputation. Again and again they charged across the 
field, but were always met by the terrible fire of the Kentucky Fourth, 
and driven back. 

At the point of the V" died Zollickofi'er. He fell nearer our camp 
than any other man of his army. He was with Battle's regiment, his 
own h®me friends, born and brought up around him at JN'ashville. A 
short distance from him, to his right, a party of his men had been 
broken from their comrades, and were herding together like frightened 
deer. Colonel Fry's men were just about to fire on them. Colonel 
Fry himself was at the right of his regiment, at the point of greatest 
danger. General ZoUickoffer was on foot and within a few feet of the 
Colonel. A gum coat concealed his uniform. Seeing the condition 
of his men, as the Colonel rode up, General Zollickofi'er said to 
Colonel Fry : — " Colonel, you would not fire upon your friends, would 
you?" Colonel Fry supposed, from the General's manner and re- 
mark, that he was one of our own officers, and at once replied : 
" Certainl}'- not, sir; I have no such intention." He turned and rode 
a few steps, when one of the General's aids fired at him, wounding his 
horse. Believing that he was tricked, Colonel Fry at once wheeled 
and fired at the General. The latter raised his hand to his breast and 
fell dead. Another ball struck him at the same moment ; I believe, 
in the arm. 

Here, too, fell young Baillie Peyton, son of a venerable man, well 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



275 



known to the nation. Young Pe3'ton, like his father, struggled long 
against disunion. He was hissed and insulted in the streets last May 
for telling his love for the old Union. 

The death of their General does not seem to have greatly dis- 
heartened the enemy. They continued their attacks with as much 
vehemence as ever. The Second Minnesota regiment came up and 
formed along the fence, on the left of the Fourth Kentucky. The 
Confederates still extended their line to flank us on that side. The 
Eighteenth Mississippi charged up to the fence, and the men in the 
two regiments fought hand to hand, catching hold of each other's 
guns, and trying to drag them through and over the fence, but it was 
all in vain. 

THE CHARGE— THE NINTH OHIO AND TENTH INDIANA. 

McCook's gallant Dutchmen came up to support the Tenth, forming 
on the right, and with them driving the enemy out of the woods, over 
the ravine, up the hill, across the field to the right of the road. The 
Fourteenth Ohio, which, with the Ninth, had marched all night to 
get to the battle, together with the two East Tennessee and the 
Twelfth Kentucky regiments, were coming up. The enemy them- 
selves were in danger of being outflanked and cut ofi" from their 
retreat. Standart's Battery was in full play, with deadly effect, on 
their centre. Kinney's and Whitmore's were advancing. There was 
no help for it, the day was lost to the Confederates, and they must 
retreat. They were pushed back, flying as they went across the fields. 
Our deadly Minie balls told fearfully on their ranks ; yet the loss was 
not all theirs. Many of our brave fellows dropped. Colonel Wol- 
ford s horse was shot under him, as he charged upon their centre. 
Bob McCook was wounded, and his horse shot under him. But a 
bullet through the heart would hardly stop him. 

On they went. The enemy is driven through the woods, where, an 
hour and a half before, they so nearly surrounded the Tenth, the 
heroes of Rich Mountain. Many regiments are completely broken, 
and run for the forests on the left. W ood's Alabama regiment breaks 
for a swamp, and scatters there. It has a home look to them, and is a 
safer place than the road or the fields. Some regiments act together, 
and form in a field a mile to the rear of their first position. But 
Standart's shells, thrown from the hill where the section was so nearly 
taken, begin to fall among them. They fiy again, pursued by our 
victorious troops. For the third and last time they form, only to be 
scattered as before. 

After this the rout is complete. Panic stricken, they fly in all 
directions. The pursuit is pressed up to the very intrenchments of 
the enemy. Two of their pieces have been taken. The third, which 
they took with them, is only saved to be left behind in their flight 
across the river. Our cannon open on their camp, our shells falling 
into their most effective battery, killing four of the men at their guns, 
and driving the rest away. The darkness of nightfall only prevents a 
general assault, and our troops lie down, hoping in the morning to 
complete the good work ol' that Sabbath, a work they had not sought, 



276 



A HISTORY OF THE 



for they were resting that day, preparatory to the attack which 
General Thomas had intended to make on Monday. 

THE FIELD AFTER THE BATTLE— THE CONFEDERATE 
WOUNDED. 

I rode over the battle field in the evening. Our men were burying 
the dead, but many still lay ghastly where they fell. The wounded 
had been all taken up. The same kind treatment was extended to 
the enemy's wounded which was given to our own. The universal 
remark which they made to me as I passed througti the hospital, was, 
" We never expected to have been treated so. We have been misled. . 
We expected to be served like dogs, should we fall into your hands. 
Yon are kinder to us than we would have been to you." The only 
difference was in the burial of the dead. Those of the enemy were 
laid together in common pits. Our own were buried in separate 
graves, and on many of them I saw young cedars already planted by 
their comrades. 

Beside one of the graves prepared for the enemy's killed, I noticed 
several lying ready to be interred. One poor boy lay in the exact 
position, as I was told, in which he was found. He rested on his side, 
his head lying on his right arm, while his left hand was loosely closed 
on his right elbow. His eyes were closed, and he looked as thoug:h 
he had just fallen asleep. 

ON TO TENNESSEE. 

I need not tell you how we marched that night, through the horrible 
mud, nor how our boys have been dropping in all day, worn out with 
fatigue, disappointed because they had all the labor with none of the 
glory of victory, and only consoled by the promise that a few days 
more will see us on the way to Tennessee. There is nothing to oppose 
us now. Crittenden's army is no longer, and never again will be, an 
army. Totally demoralized, scattered to the winds, they will go home 
or be captured piecemeal. We wait only for our provision train and 
the means of crossing the river. 

And now my long and imperfect story of the battle is ended. I 
fear that I have not given in all things a correct account of. it, but I 
have done my best to do so. If I have given the credit of this, the 
most decisive victory of the war, to some regiments which properly 
belongs to others, or have made mistakes in ray description of what 
they all did, I can only say to them that if they will but let me know 
when they next have a fight, in time for me to be there, I will tell 
exactly what they do, and give them all full justice. 

WHY THEY ATTACKED THOMAS. 

It will be a matter of surprise to the whole nation that the Con- 
federates should leave their fortified camp on the river to attack us in 
the open field. The fact is, they knew that they either had to fight or 
retreat. General Boyle's brigade had cut off their river communica- 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



277 



tion with Nashville, and threatened their rear. They knew that 
General Thomas was advancing on the Columbia road, and that his 
regiments had necessarily become scattered by reason of the bad 
roads and high water. They had found out that we had taken posses- 
sion of Hudson's Ford. They believed that Fishing Creek was so 
high that General Schoepff 's forces could not cross, and were totally 
unaware of the arrival of the two Tennessee regiments and the Twelfth 
Kentucky, at General Thomas' camp. In danger of being surrounded 
completely and starved out, they had either to retreat or do what they 
did — try to cut us up piecemeal. They thought that they were 
attacking but three regiments. They made the attempt, and were 
bitterly foiled. They left on the field of battle one hundred and fifty 
dead, and as many -wounded, besides the many whom they succeeded 
in sending away before the pursuit became too hot for them. Our 
loss was thirty-eight killed,and one hundred and thirty-four wounded. 

We have followed the details of the war, from its commence- 
ment up to the close of January, 1862, and now, as we close 
this volume of our "History of the Civil War in the United 
States," 'We have every reason to believe that the power of the 
rebellion is broken, and before many months of the present 
year pass over our country, the war will be terminated, and 
peace again restored to our borders. 

END OF VOLUME ONE. 

When events sufficient have accumulated, we will issue a 
second volume of the work, which, in all probability, will carry 
the History to the end of the war. 



278 A HISTORY or THE 



CHEONOLOGICAL TABLE 

OF EVENTS, 

FROM DECEMBER, 1860, TO JANUARY, 1862. 



DECEMBER, 1860. 
20th. Secession of South Carolina. 

24th. Withdrawal of the South Carolina delegates from Congress. 
26th. Evacuation of Fort Moultrie by Major Anderson. 

27th. The Palmetto flag raised in Charleston — Forts Pinckney and 
Moultrie occupied by State troops. 

29th. Mr. Floyd tenders his resignation as Secretary of "War — • 
President Buchanan accepts it. 

80th. Arsenals in South Carolina seized by State troops. 

31st. Exciting session of the Senate — Mr. Benjamin, of Louisiana, 
delivers a violent secession speech. 

JANUARY, 1861. 

1st. First symptoms of life in the Buchanan Administration — The 
frigate Brooklyn and another war vessel ordered to Charleston. 

2d. The Legislature of Little Delaware passed a joint resolution 
in opposition to secession. 

Act of Secession passed by Mississippi. 

3d. . Fort Macon, JSTorth Carolina, Fort Wilmington and the United 
States Arsenal, at Fayetteville, seized by order of Governor Ellis, of 
North Carolina. United States forts and property seized in Missis- 
sippi. Forts Pulaski and Jackson, near Savannah, seized by order of 
Governor Brown, of Georgia. Fort Pulaski cost $923,000, and mounts 
150 guns ; Fort Jackson cost $80,000, and mounts 14 guns. 

The Commissioners of South Carolina left Washington on their 
return home. The cause of this movement was that the President 
returned to them a communication which he deemed to be couched in 
such terms as would not warrant its retention. 

4th. This day was devoted to humiliation, fasting and prayer for 
our national transgressions, in accordance with the recommendation 
of President Buchanan. Business was almost entirely suspended, and 
the churches were crowded with worshippers in all parts of the country. 

Fort Morgan, in the harbor of Mobile, was taken possession of by 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 279 



State troops. This fortification cost the Government $1,212,000, and 
mounts 132 guns. 

The United States Arsenal, at Mobile, was taken by the Alabama 
State troops. It contained a few arms, 1,500 barrels of powder, 
300,000 rounds of musket cartridges, and other munitions of war. 

5th. The South Carolina Secession State Convention adjourned, 
subject to the call of the President. 

The Star of the West leaves New York with reinforcements for Fort 
Sumter. 

6th. Extra session of the Legislature of Virginia convened at Rich- f 
mond. 

The State Convention of Alabama met at Montgomery. 
State Convention of Mississippi met at Jackson. 
Legislature of Tennessee met at Nashville. 

8th. Jacob Thompson, of Mississippi, resigned his position as 
Secretary of the Interior in President Buchanan's Cabinet. 

Forts Johnson and Caswell were taken by the State troops of North 
Carolina. 

9th. The steamship Marion, belonging to the line of New York 
and Charleston steamers, was seized at Charleston by the State autho- 
rities. 

The steamship Star of the "West, Captain McGowan, which had been 
chartered in New York to convey troops with supplies to Major Ander- 
son at Fort Sumter, was fired into by batteries erected by the State 
of South Carolina, at the entrance of Charleston harbor. The Star 
of the West was struck twice, and, being an unarmed vessel, was forced 
to retire. 

The State Convention of Mississippi passed an ordinance for imme- 
diate secession, by a vote of eighty-four to fifteen. - 

10th. Forts St. Philip and Jackson, on the Mississippi river, and 
Fort Pike, on Lake Pontchar train, together with the United States 
Arsenal at Baton Rouge, were seized by the State troops of Louisiana. 

The President transmitted a special message to Congress on the 
aflairs of the country. 

11th. The Ordinance of Secession passed the State Convention of 
Alabama, by a vote of sixty-one to thirty-nine. 

The Florida State Convention passed the Ordinance of Secession 
by a vote of sixty -two to seven. 

Philip F. Thomas, of Maryland, who was appointed Secretary of the 
Treasury on the 11th of December, 1860, in place of Howell Cobb, 
resigned his position, and the President appointed John A. Dix, of 
New York, in his place. 

The steamship Marion, which had been seized at Charleston, by 
order of the State authorities, was released. 

12th. The steamship Star of the West returned to New York, 
having two shot-holes in her hull, which she received by being fired 
into in Charleston harbor. 

Fort Barrancas and the United States Navy Yard at Pensacola. 
Florida, were seized by Alabama and Florida troops. / 



280 



A HISTORY OF THE 



Otho R. Singleton, "Williara Barksdale, Reuben Dayis, John McRae, 
and Lucius Q. C. Lamar, the five members of the House of Repre 
sentatives from Mississippi, formally withdrew from the Congress of 
the United States. 

15th. The bill for calling a State Convention in Yirginia, passed 
the Senate by a vote of forty-five to one, and the House unanimously. 

United States Coast Survey schooner Dana seized by the State of 
Florida. 

17th. Mr. Holt nominated Secretary of "War. 

19th. The State Convention of Georgia adopted the Secession 
Ordinance, by yeas, two hundred and eight, nays, eighty-ni ne. 

21st. Jefferson Davis, of Mississippi, Benjamin Fitzpatrick, and 
Clement C. Clay, jr., of Alabama, David L. Yulee, and Stephen R. 
Mallory, of Florida, formally withdrew from the Senate of the United 
States. 

The Post Office Department discontinued the Post Office at Pensa- 
cola, Florida. 

George L. Houston, Sydenham Moore, David Clapton, James L. 
Pugh, S. L. M. Curry, and James A. Stallworth, members of Congress 
from Alabama, withdrew from the House of Representatives. 

23d. Peter E. Love, Martin J. Crawford, Thomas Hardeman, jr., 
Lucius J. Gartrell, John W". Underwood, James Jackson, and John 
J. Jones, members of Congress from the State of Georgia, left the 
House of Representatives. Joshua Hill, also one of the members 
from Georgia, refused to go with the others, but formally tendered his 
resignation. 

The Louisiana State Convention met at Baton Rouge. 

24th. The United States Arsenal at Augusta, Ga., was surrendered 
to the State authorities. 

25th. The Personal Liberty Bill of Rhode Island was repealed. 

26th. The Secession Ordinance of Louisiana passed the State Con- 
vention by a vote of one hundred and thirteen to seventeen. 

27th. The Grand Jury of the District of Columbia presented charges 
against John B. Floyd, of Virginia, Secretary of War in President 
Buchanan's Cabinet, for mal-administration in office, and conspiring 
against the Government. 

29th. The revenue-cutter McClellan surrendered at New Orleans, 
by Captain Breshwood. 

The Pacific Railroad Bill passed Congress. 

30th. The President signed the bill for the admission of Kansas 
into the Union, and she became the thirty-fourth State. 

31st. The United States Mint and Custom House at New Orleans 
were sei^ied by the State authorities, and the officials took the oath 
under the Ordinance of the Secession Convention. In the Mint there 
was over $889,000 of Government money, and in the Sub-Treasury 
nearly $122,000. 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



281 



FEBRUAEY. 

1st. The Texas Convention passed the Ordinance of Secession by 
a vote of one hundred and sixty-six yeas to seven nays. 

2d. Surrender of United States revenue-cutter at Mobile, by Capt. 
Morrison. 

4th. A Peace Conference, consisting of delegates from Virginia, 
Maryland, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, New York, Ohio, 
Missouri, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Illinois, Connecticut, 
New Hampshire, Vermont, Delaware, Rhode Island, and Massachu- 
setts, convened in Washington, and elected ex-President John Ty]er, 
of Virginia, President. The Conference resolved to sit with closed 
doors. 

A Convention of the Seceded States convened at Montgomery, Ala., 
and elected Howell Cobb President. 

Election held in Virginia for delegates to the State Convention. A 
large majority of the delegates chosen were known as Union men — 
that is, men opposed to immediate secession. The vote on the ques- 
tion of referring the action of the Convention back to the people, 
resulted in a majority of 56,000 in favor of reference. 

5th. John Slidell and Judah P. Benjamin, United States Senators 
from Louisiana, withdrew from the Senate. 

Miles Taylor, Thomas G. Davidson, and J. M. Landrum, members 
of Congress I'rom Louisiana, withdrew from the House of Representa- 
tives under instructions from the Secession Convention of that State. 
J. E. Bouligny, the member from the first District, (New Orleans,) 
announced that he would not obey the instructions of the Convention. 

7th. The City of New Orleans was illuminated in honor of seces- 
sion. The people were out in great crowds, and there was general 
rejoicing. 

8th. The barques Adjuster and D. Colden Murray, brigs W. R. 
Kibby and Golden Lead, and the schooner Julia A. Hallock, all be- 
longing to citizens of New York, were seized at Savannah by order 
of the authorities of the State of Georgia. The seizure was a retalia- 
tory measure arising out of the taking of arms in New York, belonging 
to citizens of Georgia, by the Metropolitan Police. 

The Little Rock (Arkansas) Arsenal, containing nine thousand stand 
of arms, a large amount of ammunition and forty cannon, including 
Captain Bragg's battery, was surrendered to the State authorities of 
Arkansas. 

9th. The Southern Congress, at Montgomery, Ala., elected Jeffer- 
son Davis, of Mississippi, President, and Alexander H, Stephens, of 
Georgia, Vice-President of the Southern Confederacy, for one year. 
The Constitution of the United States, with amendments, was adopted. 

The vessels seized at Savannah, Ga., were released by order of the 
Governor, on receipt of intelligence that the arms seized in New York 
had been given up. 

The President approved and signed the Twenty-tive Million Loan 
Bill. 



282 A HISTORY OF THE 

11th. Mr. Lincoln, President elect, leaves Springfield, Illinois, and 
commences his journey to Washington. 

13th. The Congress of the United States counted; the votes for 
President and Vice-President. The follo'wing was the result : — 

President — Lincoln, 180; Breckinridge, 72 ; Bell, 39 : Douglas, 12. 

Vice-President — Hamlin, 180; Lane, 72; Everett, 39; Johnson, 
12. 

The Virginia State Convention met in Richmond. John Janney 
was chosen President. 

18th. Jefferson Davis, of Mississippi, was inaugurated at Montgo- 
mery, Alabama, as the President of the Southern Confederacy. 

21st. Three more New York vessels, viz : ship Martha J. Ward, 
barque Adjuster and barque Harold, were seized at Savannah, by 
order of the Governor of Georgia. 

22d. The one hundred and twenty-ninth anniversary of the t^rth- 
day of General George Washington was celebrated with great pomp 
and show in nearly all parts of the country. 

23d. Abraham Lincoln, President elect, arrived in Washington, 

The Secession Ordinance of Texas was voted .on by the people, and 
adopted by 24,000 majority. A very small vote was polled. 

2.5th. Information received of the treason of General Twiggs, in 
Texas, of the surrender of forts in Texas to the State Government, 
and also of a large body of United States troops. 

27th. The Peace Conference at Washington adjourned sine die, 
after adopting a plan of adjustment. 

28th. The following proposed amendment to the Constitution of 
the United States passed the House of Representatives by a two- 
thirds vote : — 

"That no amendment shall be made to the Constitution which will 
authorize or give Congress power to abolish or interfere within any 
State with the domestic institutions thereof, including that of persons 
held to labor or servitude the laws of said State." 

Election in North Carolina for delegates to a State Convention, and 
also to decide the question of holding a convention. The vote on the 
proposition was as follows : — 

Against Convention, 46,603 
For Convention, 46,409 

MARCH. 

1st. The Secretary of War published an oflScial order dismissing 
General Twiggs from the army "for treachery- to the flag of his 
country, in having surrendered, on demand of the authorities of 
Texas, the military posts and property of the United States in his 
department and under his charge." 

2d. Revenue-cutter Dodge seized in Galveston Bay by the State 
of Texas. 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



283 



4th. Abraham Lincoln, of Illinois, President elect of the United 
States, was duly inaugurated in Washington cit}^. Upwards of six 
hundred Government troops were stationed in the capitol in anticipa- 
tion of an outbreak; but no disturbance took place. 

The Alabama State Convention reassembled in Montgomery, in 
accordance with a resolution adopted previous to their adjournment. 

The amendment to the Constitution, which passed the House q( 
Representatives February 28th, by a two-thirds vote, also passed the 
Senate. 

The Convention of Texas declared the State out of the Union, and 
Governor Sam Houston issued a proclamation to that effect. 

The Arkansas State Convention met and elected Union officers by 
six majority. 

5th. The Senate of the United States, in extra executive session, 
confirmed the appointments to the Cabinet of President Lincoln. 

6th. The Congress of the Southern Confederacy confirmed Presi- 
dent Jefferson Davis' Cabinet, which was constituted as follows : — 
Secretary of State, Robert Toombs, of Georgia. 
Secretary of the Treasury, C. L. Memminger, of South Carolina. 
Secretary of War, Leroy P. Walker, of Alabama. 
Secretary of the Navy, Stephen R. Mallory, of Florida. 
Postmaster-General, J. H. Reagan, of Texas. 
Attorney-General, ,L P. Benjamin, of Louisiana. 
Fort Brown, Texas, surrendered. 

7th. The Georgia State Convention reassembled in Savannah. 

13th. The State of Alabama ratified the Constitution of the 
Southern Confederacy, being the first State to do so. 

16th. The Provisional Congress of the Confederate States of Ame- 
rica adjourned, to meet again in Montgomery, Alabama, on the second 
Monday in May. 

19th. Two New York vessels, which were seized and advertised to 
be sold in Savannah, were released by order of the Governor of 
Georgia. 

The banks in Philadelphia resumed specie payments. 

20th. The Arkansas State Convention adjourned, after passing a 
resolution to refer the question of secession to the people to be voted 
upon. 

21st. The Alabama State Convention adjourned sine die. 

26th. The State Convention of Texas pass-d an ordinance, and 
the Legislature approved the act, deposing Sam Houston from the 
executive chair, in consequence of his refusal to take the new oath of 
allegiance to the Southern Confederacy. 

28th. The extra session of the United States Senate adjourned. 

APRIL. 



1st. The new tariff act of the United States went into operation. 



284 



A HISTORY OF THE 



4th. "Virginia Convention rejected the Ordinance of Secession by a 
vote of eighty-nine to forty-five. 

The Legislature of Kentucky ratified the amendment to the Consti- 
tution of the United States passed by Congress. 

5th. A final vote was taken by the South Carolina Convention on 
the ratification of the permanent Constitution of the Confederate 
States. 

8th. The authorities of South Carolina were notified that the 
United States would send an unarmed vessel with provisions and sup- 
plies for Fort Sumter; reply was made that the vessel would be fired 
into if it attempted to enter that port. 

9th. The State Department declined to receive the Commissioners 
from the Southern Confederacy. 

11th. By order of the Secretary of War of the Southern Confede- 
racy, a demand was made for the surrender of Fort Sumter. Major 
Anderson replied that his sense of honor and his obligations to the 
Government prevented a compliance. 

12th. Fort Pickens, in Pensacola Bay, Florida, was reinforced by 
the Government. 

At four o'clock, A.M., the batteries and fortifications in Charleston 
harbor, seventeen in number, opened a fire on Fort Sumter. The fire 
was returned by Major Anderson, and was kept up on both sides 
during the day, without much damage being done on either side. 

13th. Fort Sumter surrendered to the military force of the South- 
ern Confederacy, after sustaining an attack which lasted thirty-three 
hours. The garrison was not reinforced. No person was killed on 
either side, and but few wounded. The frame buildings inside of 
Fort Sumter were set on fire by hot shot from Fort Moultrie, and 
entirely consumed. Major Anderson, alter the surrender of the fort, 
was well treated by the Southern army officers and officials, and was 
highly complimented for his gallantry. The fort was manned by the 
following force : — 



NAMES. 


RANK. 


Regiment, or 
Corps. 


Original Entry in- 
to Service. 


Born in 


R. Anderson, 
S. W. Crawford, 
Abner Doubleday, 
Truman Seymour, 
Theodore Talbot, 
Jefi". C. Davis, 
J. N. Hall, 
J. G. Foster, 
G. W. Snvder, 
R. K. Meade, 


Major, 
Asst. Sur. 
Captain, 
Captain, 
1st Lieut., 
1st Lieut., 
2d Lieut., 
Captain, 
1st Lieut., 
2d Lieut., 


1st Artillery, 
Medical Stafi", 
1st Artillery, 
1st Artillery, 
1st Artillery, 
1st Artillery, 
1st Artillery, 
Engineers, 
Engineers, 
Engineers, 


July 1, 1825 
March 10, 1851 
July 1, 1842 
July 1, 1846 
May 22, 1847 
June 17, 1848 
July 1, 1849 
July 1, 1846 
July 1, 1856 
July 1, 1857 


Ky. 
Penna. 
N. Y. 
Yt. 
D. C. 
Ind. 
JM. Y. 
N. H. 
N. Y. 
Ya. 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 285 

• OflScers, - 9 

Band, - - 15 

Artillerists, - .- -- .-55 

Laborers, - -- -- -- - 30 

Total, - - 109 



15th. The President of the United States issued a proclamation 
calling for seventy-five thousand men to maintain the laws of the 
United States over the seceded States, and calling for an extra ses- 
sion of Congress. 

16th. The Ringgold Flying Artillery, of Reading, Pa., Captain 
James McKnight, 180 men, with four fle-ld-pieces, set out for Wash- 
ington, via Harrisburg, being the first troops to respond to the call 
of the president. 

17th. Governor Letcher, of Virginia, refused to call out the militia 
of that State, in response to the President's proclamation. 

The State Convention of Virginia, in secret session, passed an ordi- 
nance, dissolving its connection with the United States Government, 
by a vote of 88 to 55. 

18th. The steamship Star of the West, with eight hundred barrels 
of provisions on board, was seized by the Confederates at Indianola, 
Texas, and taken to New Orleans. 

The Secretary of the Treasury ordered that no clearances should 
be granted to vessels bound to ports of the United States south of 
Maryland. 

Governor Harris, of Tennessee, refused to furnish troops for the 
Government. 

19. The Government troops of the United States Armory, at Har- 
per's Ferry, Virginia, finding their position untenable, destroyed the 
Arsenal and Armory buildings by fire, together with fifteen thousand 
stand of arms, and evacuated the place. 

A mob in Baltimore attacked the Sixth Regiment of Massachusetts, 
while passing through the streets of that city on their way to Washing- 
"ton. The soldiers defended themselves, killing eleven and wounding 
four. Three of the soldiers were killed and eight wounded. The 
regiment arrived in Washington. 

The President of the United States issued a proclamation declaring 
a blockade of the ports of the United States. 

20th. The Baltimore mob tore up the track of the railroad leading 
out of that city, and burned or otherwise destroyed all the bridges in 
the vicinity. They also destroyed the telegraph wires. 

A portion of the Navy Yard at Gosport, near JMorfolk, Va., was 
blown up and burned, and some of the works destroyed, by the United 
States otficers and troops, to prevent their being used by the seces- 
sionists. A number of guns were spiked and sunk in the mud, and 
the following naval vessels were scuttled and destroyed : — 



286 



A HISTORY OF THE 



Names 
Pennsylvania, 



When and where built. 
Philadelphia,' 1837, 
Washington, 1819, 
Gosport, 1820, 



Tonnage*, 



3,241 
2,460 
2,633 
2,683 
1,607 
1,726 
1,726 
3,200 
989 
909 
224 



Gnns. 



120 
80 
80 
84 
50 
50 
50 
40 
22 
22 
4 



Columbus, 
Delaware, 
New York, 



United States, 



On the stocks. 



Columbia, 
Earitan, 



Philadelphia, 1797, 
Norfolk, 1836, 



Merrimac, 
Plymouth, 



Germantown, 
Dolphin, 



Philadelphia, 1843, 
Charlestown, 1855, 
Charlestown, 1843, 
Philadelphia, 1846, 



Brooklyn, N. Y., 1836, 



Total, 



21,398 



602 



The property destroyed was estimated to be worth tw%nty-five 
millions of dollars. It was the intention to have destroyed all the 
Government works, but some of the fuses failed to ignite the powder, 
and the Confederates, in consequence, saved the most valuable part 
of the Navy Yard, together with about fifteen hundred cannon. 

21st. United States Branch Mint at Charlotte, N. C, seized by 
the State authorities. Excitement at Baltimore in consequence of 
rumors that Pennsylvania troops had reached Cockeysville, Md., and 
that the garrison at Fort McHenry was prepared to shell the city. 

22d. United States Arsenal at Fayetteville, N. C, surrendered to 
the State of North Carolina. United States military supplies seized 
at Napoleon, Arkansas, by order of the Government of the State. 

23d. Martial law was proclaimed in Baltimore. 

24th. A portion of the railroad track between Annapolis, Md., and 
Washington, was torn up by secession mobs, and the troops en route 
for the Federal capitol detained at the former place. 

25th. The railroad bridges over Bush river and Gunpowder river 
were destroyed by a Maryland mob. 

Colonel Van Dorn, of Texas, captured 450 United States troops at 
Saluria. Fort Smith, Arkansas, taken possession of by State troops, 
under Colonel Solon Borland. General Harney arrested at Harper's 
Ferry, in Virginia, but afterwards released. Illinois Volunteers 
visited the United States Arsenal at St. Louis, and carried off a large 
amount of munitions of war to secure them from the secessionists. 
Governor Letcher, of Virginia, issued a proclamation, announcing that 
the State had^been transferred to the Southern Confederacy.- 

27th. The Annapolis and Washington Railroad partially repaired, 
and troops carried to the Federal capital. 

The President of the United States issued another proclamation, 
ordering the ports of Virginia and North Carolina to be blockaded. 

Governor Joseph E. Brown, of Georgia, issued a proclamation pro- 
hibiting the payment by citizens of that State of all debts to Northern 
creditors. 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



287 



29th. The Congress of the Confederate States met in extra session 
at Montgomery, Ala. 

80th. The House of Delegates of Maryland defeated an Ordinance 
of Secession by a vote of thirteen for secession and fifty-three 
against it. 

MAY. 

2d. Judge Campbell, of Alabama, one of the Judges of the 
United States Supreme Court, resigned. 

3d. The President of the United States issued a proclamation 
calling for 42,000 additional volunteers, 22,000 additional regulars, and 
18,000 additional seamen. 

4th. Governor Curtin, of Pennsylvania; Governor Dennison, of 
Ohio ; Governor Randall, of Wisconsin ; Governor Blair, of Michi- 
gan ; Governor Morton, of Indiana, and Ex-Governor Kearney, of 
Illinois, met at Cleveland, Ohio, to devise plans for the defense of 
the W estern States. 

5th. The Fifty-second Regiment of New York, and the Eighth 
Regiment of Massachusetts, took possession of the Relay House, or 
Washington Junction, on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, nine miles 
from Baltimore. 

A formal declaration of war against the United States was passed by 
the Congress of the Confederate States. 

6th. The Arkansas State Convention passed an Ordinance of 
Secession by a vote of sixty-nine to one. 

Captain Nathaniel Lyon, United States Army, in possession of the 
Arsenal at St. Louis, required by the Police Commissioners of that 
city to remove United States troops from all places outside the 
Arsf^nal grounds. The demand was refused. 

The Legislature of Tennessee passed an Ordinance of Secession, 
which was termed a Declaration of Independence, and ordered it to be 
voted upon by the people. It passed the Senate by twejity to four, 
and the House by forty-six to twenty-one. 

7th. Governor Harris, of Tennessee, made a treaty putting the 
whole military force of the State under the control of the Confederacy. 

9th. Four hundred and twenty United States Regulars, a company 
of United States Artillery, with Sherman's Battery, and the Philadel- 
phia Artillery Regiment, Colonel F. E. Patterson, (Seventeenth of 
the line,) marched through Baltimore — the first troops since the 
attack on the Massachusetts Regiment. 

A detachment of the Sixtli Regiment of Massachusetts, quartered at 
the Relay House, captured the Winans steam gun. It was being con- 
veyed from Baltimore to Harper's Ferry, for the purpose of using it 
against the Government forces. 

10th. A brigade, consisting of eight hundred men, fully armed and 
equipped, who were encamped on the outskirts of St. Louis, awaiting 
orders for a hostile movement against the Government, surrendered 
unconditionally to the United States forces under the command of 
Captain Lyon. 



288 



A HISTORY OF THE 



An attack was made on Governraent recruits in St. Louis by a mob. 
The soldiers fired upon the party, and twenty persons were killed, 
iauluding two women and several children. 

The route through Baltimore was opened, and Government troops 
passed through that city unmolested. 

The President of the United States issued a proclamation directing 
the commander of the forces of the United States on the Florida 
coast to permit no persons to exercise any office or authority upon 
the islands of Key "West, the Tortugas and Santa Rosa, which may be 
inconsistent with the laws and Constitution of the United States ; 
authorizing him to suspend there the writ of habeas corpus, and to 
remove from the vicinity of the United States fortresses all dangerous 
or suspected persons. 

11th. Government troops were again attacked by rioters in St. 
Louis. The soldiers fired upon the crowd, killing four persons, and 
wounding some eight or ten. 

13th. A Convention of Delegates from the counties of Virginia 
lying west of the Allegheny mountains, met in Wheeling. 

Resumption of the interrupted communication with Washington via 
Baltimore. Baltimore occupied by Federal troops, under General 
Butler. 

The blockade of the Mississippi river was effectually established at 
Cairo, Illinois. 

14th. The United States mail between St. Louis and Memphis was 
stopped by order of the Postmaster-General, in consequence of inter- 
ruptions made by the secessionists. 

Governor Bicks, of Maryland, issued a proclamation calling for four 
regiments of volunteers, in response to the demand of the President 
of the United States. 

Ross Winaris arrested at the Relay House. 

15th. The Wheeling, Ya., Convention, after passing resolutions 
strongly in favor of the Union, and recommending a division of the 
State, adjourned. 

ProcJamation of Neutrality issued by Queen Victoria. 

17th. The Confederate Congress at Montgomery, Ala., authorized 
the issue of Confederate bonds to the amount of fifty millions of 
dollars. 

18th. A Confederate battery at Sewall's Point, Hampton Roads, 
was attacked by two Government armed vessels and dislodged. This 
was the first offensive operation of the Government against the Con- 
led erates. 

The Confederate Congress passed laws abolishing the Mints at New 
Orleans and Dahlonega, Ga., and authorizing the issue of fifty millions 
of bonds, payable in twenty years, at eight per cent, interest, or, in 
lieu thereof, twenty millions Treasury notes in small sums, without 
interest. 

20th. An order was issued by Postmaster-General Blair, to cut off 
all the steamship mails on the coast, and all the steamboat lu.iils uu 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



289 



the livers haviag any connection whatever with the Confederate 
States. 

By orders from the Government authorities all the telegraphic 
dispatches which had passed through the fre^ States, for several 
months past, were seized simultaneously — the object being to ascer- 
tain who had been giving aid and comfort to the enemy. 

Governor Magoffin, of Kentucky, issued a proclamation, declaring 
that that State should remain neutral, and forbidding the march oi' 
troops from either section into or across the State. 

21st. The Confederates established a blockade of the Mississippi 
river at Memphis, Tenn. 

Tile State Co.nvention of North Carolina passed an Ordinance of 
Secession unanimously. 

The Confederate Congress at Montgomery, adjourned to meet at 
Kichmond, Virginia, on the 20th of July. 

24th. About thirteen thousand Federal troops, before daylight in 
the morning, marched over from the District of Columbia into Vir- 
ginia, and took possession of Arlington Heights and the city of Alex- 
andria. The Confederate troops evacuated, and no fighting took 
place. Colonel Elmer E. Ellsworth, commander of the New York 
Fire Zouaves, was shot and instantly killed, in Alexandria, by a man 
named James Jackson, proprietor of the Marshall House. Jackson 
was shot through the head and killed by one of Colonel Ellsworth's 
Corporals, named Brownell. 

2.5th. The bids for a loan of $8,994,008 asked for by the Secretary 
of the Treasury were opened at the Department in Washington. The 
Secretary decided to accept all bids for bonds placed at eighty-five 
and upwards, and award the remainder to bidders for Treasury notes 
at and above par. Under these decisions there were awarded : — 
For bonds, ----- $6,753,000 
For Treasury notes, - - - - 2,241,000 



Total, - ... - $8,994,000 

Making the average rate of interest payable by the Government a 
fraction under seven per cent. 

26th. The port of New Orleans was blockaded by the sloop-of-war 
Brooklyn. 

27th. About one hundred slaves escaped from their masters in 
Virginia, and took refuge in Fortress Monroe. General Butler de- 
clared them prizes and refused to restore them. 

The port of Mobile was blockaded. All the principal ports in the 
Southern seceded States blockaded. 

Occupation of Newport News hj General Butler. 

A writ of habeas corpus issued by Chief Justice Taney for the body 
of John Merryman, confined upon a charge of treason, in Fort 
McHenry. General Cadwalader, in command at Baltimore, refused to' 
obey the writ, by order of the President. 

13 



290 



A HISTORY OF THE 



30th. Grafton, Yirginig., occupied by Virginia and Ohio troops, 
under Colonel Kelley. 

3 1st. An engagement took place between three Government gun- 
boats and some Cont-lederate batteries at Aquia Creek, Virginia, which 
lasted two hours. The batteries were silenced. Ouly one man in- 
jured on the vessels. 

A company of the Second Cavalry left their camp and entered the 
viluxge of Fairfax Court House, Virginia, where some four hundred 
Conlederate troops were quartered. A skirmish took place, in which 
the cavalry lost one man killed, one missing, and four wounded. A 
number of the enemy were killed and five taken prisoners. 

JUNE. 

1st. The postal arrangements of the Southern Confederacy went 
into operation. 

All United States postal service in the States of Virginia, North 
Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, 
Louisiana, Arkansas and Texas, was suspended. 

3d. The privateer Savannah, Captain Baker, captured by the United 
States brig Ferry, off the coast of South Carolina. 

A body of fifteen hundred Confederates, encamped at Phillippi, Va., 
was routed by Government volunteers from Ohio and Indiana. Col. 
Benjamin F. Kelley was shot by a concealed Confederate and severely 
wounded. 

General Beauregard arrived at Manassas Junction, Va., and assumed 
command of the Confederate forces. 

6th. The United States steamer Harriet Lane engaged a Confede- 
rate battery at Pig Point, Va., on the Potomac river. Five of her 
crew were wounded. 

7th. General Patterson's army corps commenced its march toward 
Virginia, from Chambersburg, Brigadier-General Thomas leading the 
advance. 

8th. The bridges over the Potomac at Point of Rocks and Berlin, 
were T)urned by order of the Confederate General Lee. Also, burned 
the same day four bridges on the Alexandria, Loudon and Hampshire 
Railroad. 

10th. Three regiments were ordered from Hampton, Va., to attack 
a Confederate battery at Big Bethel, about ten miles distant. The regi- 
ments started in the night, one about two hours in advance of the 
others. When they met they mistook each other for the enemy, and 
commenced firing. Before the mistake was found out two men were 
killed, and nineteen wounded, and the firing, which was heard by the 
enemy, gave them time to prepare for the attack. The assault v/,:s 
made in the face of a battery of eight or ten guns, managed by near 
two thousand Confederates, and alter a fight of two hours the Gevern- 
ment troops were forced to retire, with the loss of fourteen killed, and 
foi'ty-five wounded and missing. The loss of the enemy was not known. 
Among the killed was Lieuten^mt Greble, United States army, in com- 
ni.md of the artillery, and Major Theodore Winthrop. 



CIVIL AVAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



291 



12th. The Union troops drove the Confederates o^at of the village 
of Roniney, Va. The enemy lost two killed, and one wounded. 

Governor Jackson, ot Missouri, issued a proclamation calling out 
fit y thousand men to resist the Federal Government. 

1-lth. The railroad bridge across the Potomac river at Harper's 
Ferry, Va., was blown up and entirely destroyed by the Confederate 
forces stationed there, and a large body of the troops left the place. 

Another street fight took place in St. Louis, during which six Con- 
federates were killed by the Union soldiers 

15th. The last of the Confederate forces left Harper's Ferry, and 
the place was taken possession. of by Union troops. 

Jefferson City, the capital of Missouri, was taken possession of by 
Union troops, and the State officers, being all secessionists, tied. 

17th. An ordinance was passed unanimously by the Wheeling, Yir- 
ginia. Convention, declaring all acts of the Richmond Convention null, 
and deposing the old State officers. 

A train ot cars, containing three companies of Colonel McCook's 
Ohio Regim.ent, was tired into by a masked battery, near Vienna, Va. 
Isine of the party were killed, and twelve wounded and missing. 

18th. An engagement took place at Boonville, Missouri, between 
the Confederate State troops and the Government forces, under Gene- 
ral Lyon, in which the Union soldiers were signally victorious. The 
loss of the Government troops was four killed, and nine wounded. 
The Confedeiate loss was fifteen killed, and twenty wounded. 

A skirmish took place at Edwards' Ferry. 

A detachment of Union forces encountered the Confederates at 
Cole, Missouri. Fifteen of the enemy were killed, twenty wounded, 
and thirty were taken prisoners. 

19th. The TTheeling Convention passed an ordinance reorganizing 
the State Government. 

20th. Frank H. Pierpont, of Marion county, was chosen Governor, 
and Daniel Palsly. of Mason county, elected Lieutenant-Governor of 
Virginia, by the Wheeling Union Convention. 

23d. Forty-eight locomotives, valued at four hundred thousand 
dollars, belonging to the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company, were 
destroyed at Martinsburg, Va., by the Cenfederates. 

24th. A riot occurred at Milwaukie, Wisconsin, caused by the bank- 
ing houses of that city refusing to receive the bills of certain banks 
of" the State, by which the currency became suddenly very much 
depreciated. 

26th. A skirmish took place at Patterson's creek, Va. The Con- 
federates were routed with a loss of thirty killed and wounded. 

27th. Major-General Banks, commanding the Department of Anna- 
polis, issued a proclamation, announcing the arrest and confinement, 
in Fort McHenry, of George P. Kane, Chief of Police of Baltimore, 
on a charge of treason, and appointing Colonel Kenley, Provost Mar- 
shal. 



292 



A HISTORY OF THE 



An engagement took place at Matthias Point, Va-, between the gun- 
boats Pawnee and Freeborn, and a large number of Confederates on 
shore, during which Captain James H. Ward, commander of the Chesa- 
peiike Bay Flotilla, was killed, and eight seamen wounded. 

The East Tennessee Union Convention met at Knoxville, Hon. 
Thomas A. R. Nelson in tlie chair. 

28th. Skirmish at Falls Church, Va. One Union man was killed, ' 
and the Confederates lost two. 

Skirmish at Shooter's Hill, Ya. One killed, and one wounded on 
the Union side. Two Confederates killed. 

JULY. • 

1st. The late members of the Board of Police of Baltimore, Messrs. 
Charles Howard, William Gatchell, Charles Hinks, and John W . Davis, 
v.'ere arrested by order of Major-General Banks, and confined in Fort 
McHenry. 

■ An engagement took place at Haynesville, Va. 

Skirmish at Farmington, Missouri, tive Confederates killed. 

Engagement at Buckhannon, Va., in which the Confederates lost 
twenty-three killed and wounded, and two hundred prisoners. 

The Confederates were routed at Falling Waters, Va. 

2d. General Patterson's division of the Union army crossed the 
Potomac into Virginia at "Williamsport, and a short engagement took 
place between two of the regiments and three thousand five hundred 
Confederate forces, under Colonel Jackson. The enemy, after half an 
hour's fighting, retreated. The Union loss was three killed, and fifteen 
wounded. The Confederate loss was not known, but they left eight 
dead on the field. 

The new Legislature .of Virginia met and organized at Wheeling, 
and the new State Government was recognized by the United States 
Government. 

3d. A company of Confederates was captured at Neosho, Missouri. 

4th. The Thirty-seventh Congress assembled in extra session. 
Eleven Seceded States w^ere unrepresented, except three Kepresenta»- 
tives from Virginia, and one Senator from Tennessee. Galusha A. 
Grow, (Rep.) of Pennsylvania, was elected Speaker. Emerson Ethe- 
ridge, of Tennessee, was elected Clerk. 

5th. The President's message was dehvered to both houses of 
Congress. The President called for four hundred thousand men, and 
four hundred millions of dollars, to aid in putting down the rebellion 
in the South. 

A scouting party, numbering about one thousand one hundred, under 
command of Colonel Seigel, encountered four or five thousand Con- 
federate troops, under Governor Jackson, near Carthage, Missouri. 
A brisk engagement took place, which lasted nearly two hours. Col. 
Seigel was forced to retire ; but in their retreat they kept up a con- 
tinual fire from their artillery, and the enemy sustained a loss of 
between four and five hundred, while the Union loss was only ten 
killed, and forty-three wounded. 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



293 



8th. A skirmish took place at Bird's Point, Missouri, in which tho 
Confederates lost three killed, and eight wounded. 

The Confederates were routed at Bealington, Ya. 

An attack was made on a Confederate camp at Florida, Missouri, 
which was broken up. 

9th. The new Legislature of Virginia, which held its session in 
Wheeling, elected James S. Carlisle to the United States Senate, in 
place of R. M. T. Hunter, and Waitman T. Willey, in place of James 
M. Mason. 

10th. A portion of General McClellan's forces, stationed near 
Buckhannon, Va., had a skirmish with the advance posts of General 
Johnson's command at Laurel Hill, which lasted nearly the entire day. 

11th. The Senate of the United States expelled Senators James M. 
Mason, and R. M. T. Hunter, of Virginia; Thomas L. Ciingman, and 
Thomas Bragg, of North Carolina; Louis T. WigfoU, and J. W. Hemp- 
hill, of Texas; Charles B. Mitchell, and William K. Sebastian, of 
Alabama, and A. O. P. Nicholson, of Tennessee. 

A battle was fought at Rich Mountain, two miles cast of Roaring 
Run, Virginia, where the enemy, numbering about three thousand 
men, in command of Colonel Pegram, were strongly intrenched. 
About three o'clock in the morning. General Rosencranz, with a por- 
tion of the Eighth, Tenth, and Thirteenth Indiana, and Nineteenth 
Ohio Regiments, belonging to General McClellan's division, after a 
very difficult march of seven or eight miles, cutting a road through 
the woods, succeeded in surrounding the enemy at about three o'clock 
in the afternoon. A desperate fight immediately ensued, lasting abcut 
an hour and a hulf, resulting in a loss of one hundred and thirty-five 
of the enemy. They retreated precipitately, leaving behind six can- 
non, a large number of horses, wagons, camp equipage, &c. The loss 
on the Union side was about twenty killed, and forty wounded. 

12th. General McClellan took possession of Beverly, Va. He had 
in his possession six brass cannon, a large quantity of camp equipage, 
and two hundred tents, all taken from the Confederates. Colonel 
Pegram, in command of -six hundred Confederate troops, surrendered 
his whole force. 

Skirmish at Newport News, Va. Twelve Union men taken prisoners. 
The Confederates were routed at Barboursville, Va. 

13th. The column under command of General Morris, belonging 
to General McClellan's division, came up to the retreating Confederate 
forces, commanded by General Garnet, near St. George, Va. A 
sharp conflict ensued, and the Confederate troops were routed, and 
General Garnet killed. The Union loss was thirteen killed, and forty 
wounded. The enemy's loss was two hundred killed and wounded, 
and a large number taken prisoners. 

John B. Clark, member of the United States House of Represents, - 
tives from the Third District of Missouri, was expelled from that body, 
by a vote of ninety-four to forty-five. 

15th. The Potomac division of the army of the Union, forty thou- 



294 



A HISTORY OF THE 



sand strong, under command of General McDowell, moved from their 
encampments in and around Washington and Arlington Heights, 
toward Fairfax Court House, in Virginia. 

A Rhode Island battery and the Twent.y-first and Twenty-third 
Pennsylvania Regiments routed six hundred Confederate cavalry 
belonging to General Johnston's command, at Bunker Hill, Va. 

16th. The Confederate scouts and pickets were driven beyond 
Fairfax Court House by the Union army. 

17th. The Union army continued their march toward Fairfax 
Court House. 

18th. General McDowell, with his forces, arrived at Fairfax Court 
House. An engagement took place at Blackburn Ford, Bull Run, in 
which one hundred of the enemy were killed and wounded. General 
Tyler led the Union troops. 

20th. The Union army moved from Fairfax Court House and 
vicinity toward Manassas Junction. 

The Confederate Congress assembled at Richmond. 

The Confederate forces, under Henry A. Wise, fled from the Valley 
of the Big Kanawha, on the approach of the Union troops. 

Sunday, 21st. General McDowell's Division of the Union army 
engaged the Confederates, under General Beauregard, at Stone Bridge, 
Bull Run, three miles from Manassas Junction, a second time, and 
after a desperate tight, continuing nearly twelve hours, the Govern- 
ment troops retired, and fell back to Arlington Heights. 

22d. General McClellan was assigned to the entire command of 
the military department of the Potomac, including the city of Wash- 
ington, superseding General McDowell on one side, and General 
Mansfield on the other. 

25th. A slight skirmish took place place at Harrisonville, Virginia, 
in which the Confederates lost six killed. 

26th. The Union troops occupied Forsyth, Missouri. 

29th. Robert Toombs, of Georgia, resigned his position as Secre- 
tary of State in Jetf. Davis' Cabinet, and Robert M. T. Hunter, of 
Virginia, was chosen in his place. 

The Southern Bank Convention, which held its second session in 
Richmond, adjourned, after advising the Confederate Government to 
issue $100,000,000 Treasury notes. 

30th. The Missouri State Convention declared vacant the oflBces 
of Governor, Lieutenant-Governor and Secretary of State, by a vote 
of 56 to 25. The seats of the members of the Legislature were also 
declared vacant. The State officers and a majority of the members 
of the Legislature were secessionists. 

31st. The Missouri Convention elected Hamilton R . Gamble to the 
office of Governor, Willard P. Hall, Lieutenant-Governor, and Mor- 
decai Oliver, Secretary of State, all Union men. 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 295 



AUGUST. 

2d. A battle occurred at Dug Spring, nineteen miles south of 
Si)i ingtif Id, Missouri, between the Union forces under General Lyon, 
and the Confederate trcjops under Ben McCulloch, in whicl) eight of 
the former were killed, and thirty wounded ; and forty of the latter 
were killed, and forty-four wounded. 

Fort Fillmore, in Texas, surrendered by Major Lynde. - Seven hun- 
dred and fifty United States troops were taken prisoners. 

3d. Some of the vessels of the blockading tleet threw a few bombs 
into Galveston. 

A skirmish took place at Point ol Rocks, Ya. Only one Union 
soldier was wounded. 

A battle was fought at Athens, Missouri, and the Confederates were 
routed. 

6th. The special session of the Thirty-seventh Congress adjourned 
sine die, after a sitting of thirty-three days. 

A party of Confederate troops, under the command of Magruder, 
set on fire and destroyed the village of Hampton, "Virginia, with the 
exception of some five or six buildings on the outskirts of the town. 

The Confederates were routed at Lovettsville, Virginia. 

9th. An attack was made on the Confederates at Potosi, Missouri. 

10th. A battle took place at Davis' Creek, about twelve miles from 
Srringfield, Missouri, between five thousand two hundred Union 
tro<4)S, under General L> on, and titteen thousand Confederates, under 
Ben McCulloch and General Price, which lasted about six hours. The 
Confederates were driven from their position, and were forced to burn 
their baggage and camp equipments, to keep them from falling into 
the hands of the Union forces. During the engagement, General Lyon 
was killed, and the Union loss was two hundred and twenty three 
killed, seven hundred and twenty-one wounded, and two hundred and 
ninety- one missing. The loss of the enemy was not known, but was 
supposed to be nearly double that number. 

11th. Twenty-two Confederate prisoners were captured at George- 
town, Missouri. 

13th. Grafton, "Virginia, occupied by the Union forces 

During a skirmish at Matthias Point, Virginia, the Unionists lost 
three killed, and one wounded. 

14th. Martial law was declared in St. Louis by Major-General 
Fremont. 

16th. The President of the United States issued a proclamation 
ordering all commercial intercourse between the N orth and the sece- 
ded States to cease. 

The Confederate camp at Fredericktown, Missouri, was attacked, 
and twelve of the enemy were taken prisoners. 

A boat's crew of the Union steamer Resolute was fired on by a 
Confederate battery at Acquia Creek, Virginia; three were killed, and 
one wounded. 



296 



A IlISTOnr OF THE 



I8th. Major-General John E. Wool assumed command at Fortrcsa 
Monroe. 

A fight took place at Cbarlestown, Missouri. 

A slight skirmish occurred at Lady's Fork, Virginia. 

19th. The Secretary of "War issued an order calling upon tlie 
Governors of the Northern States to send immediately to Washingkiu 
nil regiments and parts of regiments in their respective States. 

The State Department in Washington issued a notice, setting forth 
that no person would be allowed to go abroad from a port of tiio 
United States without a passport either from that department, or 
countersigned by the Secretary of State, nor would any person be 
allowed to land in the United States without a passport from a minis- 
ter or a consul of the United States ; or, if a foreigner, from his own 
Government, countsigned by some minister or consul. 

20th. A skirmish took place at Hawk's JS"est, in the Kanawha 
Valley, Virginia. Four thousand Confederates attacked the barri- 
cades of the Eleventh Ohio Kegiment, and w^ere driven back, with the 
loss of tifty killed. Only two Union men were wounded. 

Six hundred troops, under Colonel Dougherty, left Bird's Point, 
and proceeded out to Charlestown, Missouri, attacked twelve hundred 
Confederates at that place, and completely routed them, and drove 
them from the town 

The Wheeling Convention passed an ordinance erecting a new 
State, to be called Kanawha, by a vote of fifty to twenty-eight. 

21st, A skirmish occurred at Cross Lanes, Virginia. 

24th. J. G. Berretj.Mayor of Washington city, was arrested on a 
charge of treason, and conveyed a prisoner to Fort Laf\xyette, in New 
York harbor. 

26th. The Seventh Ohio Regiment, Colonel Tyler, was surrounded 
by a Confederate army at Summersville, Virginia, and attacked on 
both flanks and in the front simultaneously. The men immediately 
formed for battle, and fought bravely, while they saw but little chance 
of success, the enemy proving too powerful. The Union forces scat- 
tered after cutting their way through, but soon formed again, and 
fired, but received no reply or pursuit from the enemy. 

A naval expedition sailed from Fortress Monroe, under the com- 
mand of Flag-officer Stringham, of the navy, and General Butler, of 
the army. The vessels carried over one hundred guns, and about 
nine hundred men. 

29th. The naval expedition which left Fortress Monroe on the 
26th, after a severe bombardment, captured two forts, known as Fort 
Hatteras and Fort Clark, at Hatteras Inlet, on the coast of North 
Carolina. Fort Hatteras mounted twenty thirty-two-pounders, and 
Fort Clark five thirty-two-pounders. Eight Confederates were killed, 
and twenty-five wounded, while the expedition lost not a man. Forty - 
five Confederate officers, and six hundred and sixty-five non-commis- 
sioned officers and privates wtre taken prisoners. One thousand 
stand of arms, a large amount of ammunition and stores, together with 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



297 



two vessels, one loaded with cotton, and the other loaded with coffee, 
were also taken. 

An attack was made on Lexington, Missouri, by two thousand Con- 
federates. The Confederates had no artillery, and were repulsed, 
with the loss of sixty killed. 

Twenty-three Coniederate prisoners were taken at Greytown, Mo. 

80th. A skirmish took place at Ball's Cross Eoads, Virginia. 

Major-General Fremont issued a proclamation declaring martial 
law throughout the State of Missouri, and also declaring that the pro- 
perty of the Confederates in the State should be confiscated, their 
slaves set free, and themselves, if found guilty by a court-martial, shot. 

SEPTEMBER. 

1st. A party of three hundred and fifty Confederates made an 
attack upon the Dent County, Missouri, Home Guard, numbering not 
over forty or fifty men. Two of the Home Guard were killed, and 
seven wounded. 

There was a fight at Boone Court House, Yirginia, resulting in the 
total rout of the Confederates. Our men burned the town. 

A fight took place at Bennett's Mills, Missouri. 

2d. The Secretary of the Treasury issued an appeal to the people 
of the Union for a National Loan. 

3d. The passenger express train on the Hannibal and St. Joseph 
Railroad was thrown into Platte river, the timbers of the bridge across 
that stream having been burned nearly through by the Confederates. 
Seventeen persons were killed, and sixty wounded. 

News received of the wreck, on the coast of Florida, of the priva- 
teer Jefi". Davis. 

5th. The city of Columbus, Kentucky, was taken possession of by 
Confederate troops. 

6th. The city of Paducah, Kentucky, was occupied by a strong 
force of Union troops. 

9th. One hundred and fifty-six of the Union prisoners taken by the 
Confederates at Bull's Run, were sent from Richmond to Castle Pinck- 
ney, in Charleston harbor. 

The Union troops, under General Rosencranz, attacked five thou- 
sand Confederates under General Floyd, who occupied a strong posi- 
tion at Carnifex Ferry, on the Gauley river, Virginia, and after a 
severe ba'.tle of four hours, General Rosencranz recalled his forces in 
consequence of the darkness. The Union troops laid on their arms 
all night, and were prepared to renew the engagement on the return 
of light; but in the morning it was found that General Floyd had fled 
during the night, leaving large quantities of ammunition, arms, camp 
stores, equipage, and forty-five head of cattle. 

Two of the Mississippi gun-boats attacked and silenced a Confede- 
rate battery at Lucas Bend, and disabled two boats belonging to the 
secessionists. 
13* 



A HISTORY OF THE 



11th. A reconnoitering party, numbering about two thousand men, 
from G-eneral McClellan's division, were attacked by a party of Con- 
federates near Lewinsville,. Va. A skirmish ensued, and the enemy 
were driven back. 

The President wrote a letter to General Fremont, requesting him 
to modify the clause in relation to slaves in his proclamation, so as to 
conform with the Act of Congress confiscating the property of Con- 
federates. 

During a slight skirmish at Stewart's Hill, Yirginia, the Con- 
federates lost twtflve killed and wounded. 

12th. Colonel John A. Washington, the former proprietor of 
Mount Yernon, the home of Washington, was killed near Elk Water, 
Virginia, while reconnoitering. Colonel Washington was in the Con- 
federate army. 

A number of the Confederate forces advanced upon the Union 
works of Cheat Mountain Summit, Yirginia, and were repulsed after 
considerable skirmishing. 

A party under Lieutenant Shipley, from Fort Pickens, succeeded 
in burning and totally destroying the United States floating dry dock, 
at the Pensacola JSTavy Yard, which was in the possession of the Con- 
federates. 

13th. About one thousand Confederates attacked Boonville, Mis- 
souri, which was defended by a small body of the Home Guard. The 
Confederates were repulsed. 

Thirteen members of the Maryland Legislature, two editors of 
secession newspapers, one member of Congress, and the gubernatorial 
candidate of the secession party, were arrested in Baltimore. 

Twenty sailors and sixty-five marines, manning three barges from 
the United States ship Colorado, lying off Pensacola, during the night 
fired and destroyed a privateer schooner called the Judith, lying off 
Pensacola Navy Yard. 

15th. Four hundred and fifty Confederates attacked the Twenty- 
eighth Pennsylvania Regiment, near Darnestown, Md., and were re- 
pulsed, with a loss of eight or ten killed. The Union loss was but 
one killed. 

16th. Ship Island, lying near the coast of Mississippi, in the Gulf 
of Mexico, was evacuated by the Confederates and occupied by Union 
forces. 

Camp Talbot, in Missouri, was captured by Unioir troops. 
The Confederates, under General Price, commenced the bombard- 
ment of the city of Lexington, Missouri. 

17th. A train of cars on the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad, con- 
taining a portion of the Nineteenth Illinois Regiment of soldiers, 
broke through a bridge near Huron, Indiana. Twenty-six of the 
soldiers were killed, and one hundred and twelve wounded. 

Part of an Iowa regiment fell in with about four thousand Con- 
federates at Blue Mills Landing, Missouri, and a sharp skirmish 
ensued. The Iowa troops were forced to retire, but being reinforced. 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



299 



preparations were made for another attack, and the Confederates 
retreated. 

A skirmish took place at Mariatown, Missouri. The Confbderates 
lost seven killed. 

18th. Eighteen secession members of the Maryland Legislature, 
including the Speaker of the House, together with all the oflficers and 
clerks, were arrested in Frederick, where the Legislature was to have 
convened. They were sent to Fortress Monroe. 

The banks of ifew Orleans suspended specie payments. 

A slight skirmish took place near Barboursville, Ky. No loss on 
either side. 

Skirmish near Columbus, Ky. 

20th. General Robert Anderson took command of the Union forces 
in Kentucky. 

About three thousand Union troops, under Colonel James A. Mulli- 
gan, entrenched at Lexington, Missouri, were attacked on Monday, 
the 16th, by twenty-hve thousand Confederate troops, commanded by 
General Price. After five days' fighting, the Union forces were sur- 
rounded, and, their supply of water having been cut ofi", they were 
forced to capitulate. The Union loss was thirty-nine killed, and one 
hundred and twenty wounded. The loss on the Confederate side was 
about fourteen hundred killed and wounded. 

A skirmish took place at Tuscumbia, Missouri. 

21st. General Lane's command surprised a superior force of Con- 
federates at Papinsville, Missouri, and after a severe fight routed them. 

22d. Four Confederates were killed during a skirmish at Ellicott's 
Mills, Kentucky. 

24:th. Five hundred of the Fourth Ohio Regiment, with one piece 
of artillery, and the Ringgold Cavalry, seventy-five in number, under 
Colonel Cantwell, and four hundred of the Eighth Ohio Regiment, 
under Colonel Harte, made an advance from New Creek toward 
Romney, Ya. They drove the enemy, seven hundred strong, out of 
Mechanicsville Gap, and, advancing on Romney, stormed the town, 
causing the enemy to retreat to the mountains. 

25th. A skirmish took place near Chapmansville, Va. 

26th. In accordance with the recommendation of the President of 
the United States, this day was observed as a national fast day. 

Four Confederates were killed and five taken prisoners in an afiair 
at Lucas Bend, Ky. 

27th. General Fremont, with an expedition embracing twelve or 
fifteen thousand men, left St. Louis in fifteen steamers, bound up the 
Missouri river. 

28th. All the Confederate forces retired from their positions along 
the Potomac in front of Washington, and the Union troops again oc- 
cupied Munson's and Upton's Hills and Falls Church village. 

Two advance bodies of the Union troops came into collision by 
mistaking each other for the enemy, near Fall's Church, Virginia. 



300 



A HISTORT OF THE 



29th. The Union troops lost seven killed and fifteen wounded in 
an alfair with the enemy at Fall's Church, Virginia. 

OCTOBEH. 

1st. The Government transport propeller Fanny, was captured be- 
tween Hatteras Inlet and Chicamacomico, North Carolina. With her 
were taken thirty-one men belonging to the Thirtieth Indiana Regi- 
ment, and stores and ammunition valued at one hundred and fitly 
thousand dollars. 

The Confederate camp at Charleston, Missouri, was captured by 
Union troops, and forty secessionists taken prisoners. 

3d. General Reynolds made a reconnoissance from his position at 
Cheat Mountain, and met the Confederate force under General Lee at 
Greenbriar, Virginia, and drove them from the ground. 

A Union reconnoitering party met a large body of the enemy at 
Buffalo Hill, Ky., and an engagement took place. 

5th. An Indiana regiment, which was encamped at Chicamacomico, 
on the coast of JS"orth Carolina, was surrounded and attacked by an 
army of Confederates, when the United States gun-boat Monticello, 
lying at Hatteras Inlet, went to their relief ; she opened fire with shot 
and shell upon the enemy, routing and scattering them in all direc- 
tions, and effectually covered the retreat of the Union soldiers. The 
slaughter among the Confederates was terrific. 

7th. General W. F. Sherman assumed command of the Union 
forces in Kentucky, relieving General Robert Anderson. 

9th. A division of the Union troops occupied Lewinsville, Va. 

All the banks in Pittsburg, Pa., resumed specie payments. 

About one thousand five hundred Confederates, before daylight, 
surprised and attacked the Zouave Union camp at Santa Rosa Island, 
near Fort Pickens. Before a proper defense could be made, the 
camp was burned ; but the Union men soon rallied, and drove the 
Confederates to their boats. 

11th. An expedition under Lieutenant Harrell, in three small boats 
from the steamer Union, went into Quantico Creek, Va., under the 
cover of night, and burned a Confederate schooner. 

12th. An attack was made by a Confederate gun-boat fleet and fire- 
ships, from New Orleans, on the Union blockading squadron at the 
entrance of the Mississippi river. 

13th. A battle took place near Lebanon, Missouri, between de- 
tachments of Union and Confederate troops. The enemy were com- 
pletely routed. 

A battalion of cavalry, under Major Clark "Wright, captured the 
town of Linn Creek, Missouri, and took a company of Confederates 
prisoners. 

An attack was made by Union troops upon the Confederates at 
Frederick, Missouri, which resulted in the enemy being defeated with 
great loss. 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 301 



16th. The Confederate batteries on the Potomac showed them- 
selves. The United States steamer Pawnee, in going down the river, 
received seven shots, but was not seriously damaged. 

The Union troops recaptured the city of Lexington, Mo., the main 
body of the Confederates having previously evacuated the place. 

An engagement took place between one thousand Union troops, 
under General Geary, and over two thousand Confederates, on Bolivar 
Heights, near Harper's Ferry, Ya. The Confederates were repulsed 
with considerable loss. The Union troops captured from the enemy 
a thirty-two pounder cannon. Our loss was but seven killed and 
wounded, and the Confederate loss was supposed to be one hundred 
and fifty. 

A battle took place near Pilot Knob, Mo. The Confederates were 
routed. 

17th. The Confederate army retired from Fairfax Court House, 
and also from Leesburg, Ya. 

Lieutenant Kirby, with fifteen men of Major Wright's battalion, had 
a fight with forty-five Confederates, near Linn Creek, Mo. 

18th. The Pacific telegraph line was completed in its western 
course to Salt Lake City. 

19th. Colonel Morgan, with two hundred and twenty Union men, 
of the Eighteenth Missouri, and two pieces of artillery, had a fight 
with some four hundred Confederates, in Big Hurricane Creek, Carroll 
county, Mo. 

21st. A Union fleet, consisting of twenty steamers, sailed from 
Annapolis, Md., bound South. 

A severe engagement took place at Ball's Bluflf, Ya., between Ed- 
ward's Ferry and Harper's Ferry, on the Potomac river, between 
about eighteen hundred Union troops, under General Baker, and four 
thousand Confederates. The battle lasted nearly all day, and the 
Union men were forced to retire with considerable loss. During the 
engagement, acting Brigadier- General Edward D. Baker, United 
States Senator from Oregon, was killed, his body being pierced with 
half-a-dozen bullets. 

Two thousand five hundred Union troops under the command of 
Colonel Plummer, encountered and completely routed a Confederate 
force, estimated at five thousand, at Fredericktown, Missouri. 

General ZoUickoffer, with six or seven thousand Confederates, 
made three separate attacks on Camp Wild Cat, in Kentucky, which 
was commanded by General Garrard. The Confederates were repulsed 
each time with considerable loss. 

23d. The President of the United States suspended the operation 
of the writ of habeas corpus in the District of Columbia in all cases 
relating to the military. 

The Second Ohio Regiment, under Colonel Harris, and a company 
of cavalry, had a smart engagement with about six hundred Confede- 
rates, at West Liberty, Morgan county. Mo. The Union men soon 
routed the secessionists, and in their flight, they threw away their 
guns and everything that tended to impede their progress. 



> 



A HISTORY OF THE 



24lli. The western section, of the CaliCornia telegraph connected 
with the eastern at Salt Lalce City, thus completing the wires between 
the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. 

25th. Fremont's Body Guard, numbering one hundred and sixty, 
made a brilliant chai'ge upon about two thousand Confederates at 
Springfield, Missouri, and completely routed them. 

William Smith, one of the men captured on board the Southefrn 
privateer Jett". Davis, was found guilty in Philadelphia on a charge of 
piracy. 

26th. General Kelley attacked Romney, Ya.. routing the enemy 
after an engagement of two hours. 

28th. A party of four hundred Confederates at Digger's Mills, 
Missouri, offered to lay down their arms and return home, if secured 
against arrest by the LJnion troops. General Henderson, of the State 
Union militia, agreed to the terms. 

A large body of Confederates attacked the Union men at Cromwell, 
Ky., but were beaten off. 

29th. The great naval and military expedition destined to operate 
on the Southern coast, sailed from Hampton Roads at (5 o'clock, A. M. 
About twenty-seven thousand troops accompanied the expedition. 
Commodore J. F. Dupont was the naval commander, and General 
Thomas W. Sherman the military commander. 

A detachment of Union soldiers attacked two hundred and fifty 
Confederate cavalry at Woodbury, Ky., and routed them. 

30th. All the prisoners at Fort Lafayette, numbering one hundred 
and forty-eight, were removed to Fort Warren, in Boston harbor. 

31st. About three hundred Confederates made an attack upon the 
Union camp at Morgantown, Ky., but were repulsed. 

NOVEMBER. 

1st. Lieutenant- General Winfield Scott, commander of the United 
States army, was placed by the President upon the retired list of army 
officers, without reduction of his current pay, subsistence or allow- 
ance. The act was done at General Scott's own request. 

Major-General George B. McClellan assumed command of the armies 
of the United States, in place of Lieutenant-General Scott, by direc- 
tion of the President. 

A violent storm overtook the great Union naval and military expe- 
dition off the coast of North Carolina. 

2d. Major-General John C. Fremont, having been removed from 
the command of the Union army in Missouri, issued a farewell address 
to the soldiers. 

A skirmish took place near Leavenworth, Kansas, and the Confede- 
rates were routed. 

A spirited engagement took place at Platte City, Missouri, between 
Major Joseph's Union forces, and Silas Gordon's Confederate forces. 
The attack was made by the Confederates, but they soon broke and 
ran in every direction, throwing down their guns, and leaving all their 
equipments. 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



303 



The Union forces, under General Nelson, took Prestonburg, Ky., 
meeting no resistance. 

4th. Twenty-five of the vessels of the great expedition anchored 
off Port Royal harbor, South Carolina. 

An expedition under Colonel Dodge, took possession of Houston, 
Texas county, Missouri, and captured a large amount of Confederate 
property, and several prominent secessionists. 

6th. A Union force of about three thousand five hundred men, 
under Grant, left Cairo, Illinois, in four steamers and two gun-boats. 
They landed three miles above Columbus, and made an attack upon 
the Confederate camp at Belmont, Missouri. A fight ensued, and the 
Unionists succeeded in destroying the camp, captured a Confederate 
battery of six guns, and took one hundred and thirty prisoners. Fearing 
Confederate reinforcements, they concluded to retire to their boats ; 
but they were met by a large Confederate force, and the fighting was 
renewed, with great slaughter on both sides. The Union men suc- 
ceeded in getting on board the steamers, their retreat being covered 
by the gun-boats. 

One hundred and twenty Union troops, under Captain Shields, were 
captured by the enemy near Little Santa Fe, Missouri. 

7th. Nearly all of the vessels composing the great naval and mili- 
tary expedition having arrived at Port Royal harbor, South Carolina, 
an attack was made on the Confederate batteries, known as Forts 
Walker and Beauregard, both of which were scientifically constructed, 
well mounted and well garrisoned. After less than five hours' fighting, 
the batteries were silenced, the Confederates beat a precipitate retreat, 
and the victory was complete. The forts and batteries were then 
taken possession of by the Union forces. 

8th. The intercommunication between Savannah and Charleston 
was closed by blockading the mouth of Scull creek, in Port Royal 
harbor. 

Commander Dupont, of the naval expedition, sent a force up Port 
Royal harbor to examine the village of Beaufort, S. C. The place 
was found entirely deserted. 

A battle took place between a division of the Union army, under 
General Nelson, and an army of Confederates at Ivy creek, near Pike- 
ton, Ky. The Confederates were completely routed. 

9th. Major-General Henry W. Halleck was ordered to take com- 
mand of the Department of the West, and General Don Carlos Buell 
was assigned to the command of the Department of Kentucky. 

10th. General Benham's brigade had a skirmish with the Confede- 
rates in the Kanawha Valley, Ya. The Confederates ran, and the 
Union forces pursued them twenty-five miles. 

The Union forces at Guyandotte, Va., on the Ohio river, having 
been betrayed, and a number of them murdered by the Confederate 
inhabitants of the town, the place was fired, and about two-thirds of 
the village destroyed. 

11th. One hundred and fifty mounted Union troops were attacked 



304 



A HISTORY OF THE 



near Kansas City, Missouri, by five or six hundred Confederates, and, 
after a desperate struggle, the enemy retreated to the woods. 

The Union troops, under General Nelson, entered and occupied 
Piketon, Kentucky. 

.14th. The Unionists in East Tennessee burned the Cumberland 
River Railroad bridge. 

15th. The United States steam frigate San Jacinto, Captain "Wilkes, 
arrived at Hampton Roads, having on board James M. Mason, of Vir- 
ginia, and John Shdell, of Louisiana, two Confederate Commissioners, 
sent from the Southern States to negotiate treaties with the nations 
of Europe. They were taken, on the 8th of November, off Bermuda, 
from on board the British mail steamer Trent, they having taken 
passage on board that vessel at Havana, for England. The private 
Secretaries of the Ambassadors were also taken. 

]6th. Fifty wagons, and five hundred head of cattle, unprotected, 
were captured by the Confederates in Cass county, Missouri. 

A Union foraging party, consisting of fifty-two men, belonging to 
the New York Thirteenth Regiment, were surrounded and captured 
near Falls Church, Virginia. 

17th. A party of Union troops recaptured nearly all the wagons 
and cattle that were siezed by the Confederates in Cass county, Mo. 

18th. General Halleck superseded General Hunter in the command 
of the Department of Missouri. 

One hundred and fifty Confederate prisoners were taken near War- 
rensburg, Missouri. 

A convention of delegates, representing forty-five counties of North 
Carolina, met at Hatteras, and adopted an ordinance favorable to the 
Union cause. 

19th. An expedition from General Dix's department arrived from 
Maryland on the eastern shore of Virginia. Upon the approach of the 
Union troops, the Confederates laid down their arms, and the Stars 
and Stripes were raised in all parts of Northampton and Accomac 
counties. 

The largest portion of the town of "Warsaw, Missouri, was burned 
by the Confederates, to prevent its being occupied by Union troops for 
winter quarters. 

The gun-boat Conestoga went from Paducah, Ky., on an exploring 
expedition up the Tennessee river, and discovered a Confederate 
battery near the Tennessee line. She threw one shell, which routed 
the Confederates. Still further up another battery was discovered and 
engaged. The Confederates were again routed. 

20th. The Confederate General Floyd suddenly broke up his camp 
in the vicinity of the Gauley river, and made a hasty retreat. 

A fleet of about thirt}'- old whale ships, loaded with stone, sailed 
from New Bedford, Massachusetts, and New London, Connecticut, 
bound South, for the purpose of being sunk in the channels at the 
entrance of some of the Southern ports. 

22d. Fort Pickens opened fire on the Confederate batteries at 
Pensacola, which was answered by Forts Barrancas and McRae. 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 



305 



23d, The firing between Fort Pickens and the Confederate batteries 
at Pensacola was continued for two days. The Confederate Fort 
McRae was etfectiially silenced ; Fort Barrancas and the Navy Yard 
were materially damaged, and the town of "Warrington was . mostly 
burned. 

24th. James M, Mason, and John Slidell, the Confederate Com- 
missioners, with their Secretaries, were landed at Fort Warren, in 
Boston harbor. 

A portion of Captain Dupont's Port Royal expedition took posses- 
sion of Tybee Island, at the mouth of the Savannah river. 

A skirmish took place at Lancaster, Missouri, between a Union force 
four hundred and fifty strong, under Colonel Moore, and' four hundred' 
and twenty Confederates. The latter were routed. 

26th. General Ben McCullocb, with his army, again occupied 
Springfield, Missouri. 

A skirmish took place near Vienna, Va., between one hundred and 
twenty Union troops, and five hundred Confederate cavalry. Forty 
of the Union troops were either killed or taken prisoners. 

27th. The steamship Constitution, having on board two regiments 
of troops, forming part of General Butler's expedition, sailed South 
from Hampton Roads. 

The First Pennsylvania Cavalry entered Drainesville, Yirginia, and 
arrested six disloyal citizens, and five or six officers of the Confederate 
army. On the return they were fired upon by a party of Confederates, 
and had one man wounded. 

Major R. M. Hough, in command of four companies of the First 
Missouri Cavalry, had an engagement with the Confederates at Black 
Walnut creek, Missouri, and killed and wounded seventeen, and took 
five prisoners. 

28th. Thanksgiving day was duly observed. 

29th. A skirmish occurred near JSTew Market, Va., about five miles 
from Old Point. 

The train on the Platte River Railroad was seized on its arrival at 
Weston, Missouri, by the guerrillas, under the Confederate Gordon, 
and the United States Express Company's freight appropriated. 

DECEMBER. 

2d. The first regular session of the Thirty-seventh Congress C(>m- 
menced in Washington. 

A party of citizens attacked a gang of returned Confederates from 
General Price's array, under Captains Young and Wheatley, near 
Dunksburg, about twenty miles west of Sedalia, Missouri, kilhng seven 
and wounding ten of them. 

3d. Henry C ■ Burnett, a Representative in Congress from Kentucky, 
and John W. Reed, a Representative from Missouri, were expelled 
from the House of Representatives. 

A skirmish took place in Salem, Missouri, in which the Confederates 
were routed. 



306 



A HISTORY OF THE 



The steamship Constitution, with the Twenty-sixth MassachuiCiis, 
and Ninth Connecticut Regiments, being the advance of General But- 
ler's expedition, arrived at Ship Island, ofi" the Mississippi coast, and 
landed tlie troops. 

The frigate Santee destroyed a fortification that was nearly com- 
pleted at Bohvar Point, in Galveston harbor. 

4th. The traitor, John C.Breckinridge, of Kentucky, was expelled 
from the Senate of the United States, by a unanimous vote. 

5th. The reports of the Secretaries of War and the Navy show 
that the Government had in service for the war 682,971 men, not one 
among whom was a conscript, all having volunteered. 

6th. A riot occurred at Nashville, Tennessee, occasioned by the 
authorities resorting to drafting for soldiers to supply the Confederate 
army. 

8th. A party of six hundred Confederates, with six pieces of artil- 
lery, opened fire on the Union troops across the river, at Dam No. 5, 
on the upper Potomac. They were driven off by the Union riflemen. 

9th. A detachment of another stone fleet, composed of six ships 
and one barque, left New Bedford for a Southern port. 

Forty Union men, from Colonel Burnside's regiment, burned a 
bridge at Whippoorwill, five miles from Russellville, on the Memphis 
Branch Railroad. They attacked the Confederates guarding the bridge, 
numbering thirteen, killed two, and took the remainder prisoners. 

10th. Four gun-boats of the Potomac Flotilla opened fire upon 
Freestone Point, and, after driving the Confederates from the vicinity, 
a boat's crew went on shore and fired four buildings, which were filled 
with enemy's stores. 

11th. All the islands adjacent to Port Royal, South Carolina, were 
occupied by Union troops, and the work of cotton picking on the plan- 
tations commenced. 

12th. A destructive conflagration broke out on the night of the 
11th, in the city of Charleston, S. C, and continued nearly the whole 
of the next day. Five hundred and seventy-six buildings were 
destroyed. 

13th. William Henry Johnson, a private in company D, First New 
York Cavalry, known as the Lincoln Cavalay was executed for having 
deserted from the national army, with the avowed intention of giving 
information to the enemy. 

A Confederate fortification in the woods opposite Edwards' Ferry, 
Va., was routed out by shot and shell from Franklin's Rhode Island 
Battery. 

One of the best fought battles of the war took place at Allegheny 
Camp, Pocahontas county, Va., General R. H. Milroy commanding 
the Union troops, and General Johnson, of Georgia, commanding the 
Confederates. The fight lasted from daylight till dark. General 
Milroy withdrew his troops at nightfall, intending to renew the attack 
the next morning, but during the night the Confederates silently left 
their camp. 



CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITAU STAILS. 



307 



The tov!*n of Papinsville, Missouri, was burned by Union forces, 
under command of Major H. H- Williams. 

The town of Butler, the county seat of Bates county, Missouri, was 
also burned. 

15th The Union pickets were attacked by a party of Confederates 
at Point of Rocks, on the Potomac river. The Union men retreated, 
lighting their way to their tents, and lost one man killed, and two taken 
prisoners. 

16th. Platte City, Missouri, was fired by the Confederates. 

17th. Three regiments of Confederates attacked eight companies 
of the Thirty-second Indiana volunteers, at the railroad bridge across 
Green river, near Mumfordsville, Ky. After a short but severe fight 
the Confederates were defeated. 

The entrance to the harbor of Savannah, Georgia, was blocked up 
by sinking seven vessels loaded with stone. 

18th. general Pope's expedition successfully cut off the enemy's 
camp near Shawnee Mound, Missouri, and scattered them, twenty-two 
hundred strong, in every direction. . 

A part of General Pope's forces, under Colonel J. C. Davis, and 
Major Marshall, surprised another camp of the enemy at Milford, 
Missouri, a little north of Warrensburg. A brisk skirmi>h ensued, 
when the enemy, finding himself surrounded, surrendered at discretion. 
Thirteen hundred Confederate prisoners were taken, one thousand 
stand of arras, one thousand horses, sixty-five wagons, and a large 
quantity of tents, baggage and supplies. 

19th. The Confederate battery at Point of Rocks commenced shell- 
ing the encampment of Colonel Geary's Pennsylvania Regiment. The 
Union battery returned the fire, and the Confederates retreated, with 
a loss of fourteen killed, and many wounded. 

A special messenger from England arrived in Washington with 
dispatches to Lord Lyons, the British Minister. 

20th. Major McKee, with one hundred and three men of Colonel 
Bishop's command, encountered and repulsed four hundred Confede- 
rates four miles north of Hudson, Missouri. 

The Confederates destroyed, at night, about one hundred miles of 
the jS'orth Missouri Railroad, commencing near Hudson, and extend- 
ing to Warrentown. 

General Ord's brigade had a brisk engagement with a Confederate 
force of over five thousand men near Drainesville, Virginia. 

21st. The entrance to the harbor of Charleston, S. C, was effec- 
tually closed, by sinking seventeen old whaling vessels, loaded with 
stone, across the channel. 

22d. Two companies of the Twentieth New York Regiment left 
Fortress Monroe for Newport JSTews, Virginia, and proceeded to New 
Market Bridge. While near the bridge, they found themselves sur- 
itHinded by Confederate cavalry and infantry, numbering seven hun- 
dred men, but succeeded in cutting their way out without loss. Rein- 
forcements were sent for, and the remainder of the regiment was sent 
forward. 



308 A HISTORY OF THE CIVIL WAR IN THE U. S. 



24th. The "War Department issued orders stopping the enlistment 
of cavalry soldiers. The Government had all the cavalry that was 
necessary. 

A bill to increase the duties on tea, coffee, sugar and molasses 
passed Congress. 

General Pope's cavalry was sent to Lexington, Missouri, where 
they captured two Confederate captains, one lieutenant and four men, 
with horses, &c. They destroyed the foundry and ferry boats at that 
place. 

25th. Christmas day was duly observed The Union soldiers in 
all the camps celebrated the day. 

26th. The Government stables at Washington were destroyed by 
fire. 

Hon. Alfred Ely, representative in Congress from the Twenty-ninth 
District of New York, returned to Washington from Richmond, where 
he had been confined as a prisoner of war since the 21st of July. He 
was exchanged for Charles J. Faulkner. • 

28th. Diplomatic correspondeT)ce in relation to the seizure of four 
American traitors on board the British steamer Trent, between the 
official representatives of the American, English and French Govern- 
ments, given to the public. The American Government acceded to 
the demand of England, and surrendered James M. Mason and John 
Slidell, Confederate Commissioners, and E. J. MacFarland and Geo. 
Eustis, their Secretaries. 

General Prentiss, with four hundred and fifty men, encountered and 
dispersed nine hundred Confederates, under Colonel Dorsey, at Mount 
Sion, Boone county, Missouri. 

29th. A slight skirmish occurred in Adair county, Kentuck)'-, in 
which the Confederates lost five killed. 

30th. The banks of New York, Philadelphia, Albany and Boston 
suspended specie payments. 





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